Obituary

Alexa Johnson Howard passed away suddenly on May 31, 2016 after a hard fought battle with Lupus. She is survived by her parents, Julie Howard and Rockney Howard, her brothers Chase and Dylan Howard, grandmother’s Sandy Johnson and Judy Howard, her uncle Kirk Johnson (Laura Lahm), aunts Lisa Johnson and Brenda Howard, her cousins Seth and Astrid Johnson, her boyfriend Dionte Pounds and her beloved dog Charlie. Alexa was preceded in death by her brother Scott Howard and her grandfather’s Dale Johnson and Larry Howard. Alexa was a fiercely loyal friend, sister and daughter; she loved so wholly, felt so deeply and cared so genuinely for all whom she encountered. Alexa had faced challenges in her 25 years of life that most won’t experience in a lifetime and she did so with humility, poise and grace. Her story is not one of sorrow, but one of celebration, illuminating her heart and faith. Her vivacious spirit and wicked sense of humor brought lightness to the large community of family, friends and coworkers who were lucky to have her in their lives. Her light shone bright, and always will.
Alexa was born in Winfield Illinois on December 21, 1990 and spent her childhood in Wheaton, Illinois, graduating from Wheaton-Warrenville South High School in 2009. Alexa played ice hockey throughout high school and was an avid Blackhawk’s fan. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2013 and then continued on with her graduate studies. Alexa was a member of Kappa Delta and had many special “sisters” who were her dearest friends. She was very active philanthropically, notably as the student representative for the American Red Cross. Alexa most recently lived in Lincoln Park and was developing marketing initiatives at InnerWorkings.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 3rd from 5:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home at 1458 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago Il 60657. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday June 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church at Delaware Place and Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60611. A reception will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America www.lupus.org.