Rhonda Charlene Johnston (Poprafsky)

Rhonda Charlene (Poprafsky) Johnston, journeyed Heavenward on December 30, 2021 surrounded by her most beloved children, Erin, Crandall, and Stefanie. She was born in Pontiac, Michigan September 13, 1963. Entering the world, in true Rhonda fashion, as early as possible- months early, weighing barely over 2 pounds. A strong and determined woman from the very start and to the end of her short life. The youngest of eight children born to Alexander and Betty Poprafsky, mom grew up surrounded by people, something she always loved. From cashiers at the grocery store, to telemarketers, she always had a way of making strangers friends and friends her family.

When she was a teenager she dropped out of high school and shortly after, got married after a two-week whirlwind romance to our dad, James Johnston, that lasted 27 years and produced what she described as her greatest accomplishments- her children. When in the thick of motherhood and working part time, mom decided to take night classes to earn her High School Diploma and went back to Michigan to walk in her graduation ceremony, but she didn’t stop there. After accomplishing her goal, she took extra night classes to help her friend get her high school diploma as well. Hard work, determination, and looking out for others was a hallmark of everything she ever did and taught us.

While we were growing up she made a point of staying home to raise us, only working evenings or when we were in school. Her favorite place to take us in the summer was swimming and we went almost every day. Throughout her life she worked many jobs including retail, food service, medical records, and most recently was a custodian for the Raytown School District. Woven through her motherhood, our childhood and even through our adulthood, were the many sacrifices she made in her personal life to give us every opportunity to be great in our own lives.

When mom wasn’t mothering us, she was mothering our friends or helping out her friends or any of the people she met when she was out and about. Everyone she knows, she’s helped out in some way. She made her home a place that welcomed anyone and everyone at any time. Her house rule was “I’ll get you a drink and food the first time you come over, but after that, you know where the fridge is.”

In her spare time, she was a phenomenal home cook- but she didn’t like baking. On the weekends she loved attending church and did so for many years at both Duncan Road Baptist Church in Blue Springs and Eastside Church in Independence. Her Christian faith was very important to her and somethings she was ever growing in and modeling through the way she loved us and everyone she encountered. Her many acts of service were an overflow of the love she felt from her Heavenly Father.

One of her favorite past times is that she LOVED watching old movies on Saturdays like The Long, Long, Trailer with Lucille Ball (one of her favorites), and When a Man Answers, Hang Up. She also loved newer movies like While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and all the cheesy Christmas movies. All of them. She was always up for a spontaneous road trip (especially the ones we got to see more of our family), bowling, going to the boats (or settling for scratchers), or learning a new crochet stitch.

Most importantly, she absolutely loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. We are her legacy. When she first became an “Oma” the first question she taught her grandchildren to ask was, “Who’s the best?” to which she would say, “Oma!” with such enthusiasm and gusto. At first we rolled our eyes and told her to stop indoctrinating our children, but after seeing the love and adoration she poured into each one of their lives, much like what we witnessed growing up, we all agreed with her. Oma IS the best. When asked what her hobbies were, she always said, “Spending time with my kids and my grandkids. I’ll do anything for my family.” And she truly did.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Betty Poprafsky, her brother Dana Poprafsky, and her sister Erika Franolich.

She is survived by her adoring children and grandchildren, Joseph & Erin (Johnston) McGhee of Harrisonville, MO and their children, Kalyssa, Ethan, Alister, and Eloise. Crandall & Erika Johnston of Independence, MO and their children, Chandler, Clark, and Evelyn. Eric & Stefanie (Johnston) Miller of Independence, MO and their children Madelyn and Mason. She is also survived by her brothers, Michael Poprafsky, Theodore Poprafsky, Steven Poprafsky, and Peter Poprafsky, and her sister Nada Thompson and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that are like family.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055 with burial to follow in Blue Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time Friday morning at the chapel.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)