Jaamel Lamar Johnson was born on January 23, 1989, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Joseph Hooker and Dia Johnson parented by Scotty Parker.

Jaamel, affectionately known as “Mel” graduated from Churchland High School in 2007.  He attended Virginia State University during which time his pride and joy, Makayla Naomi Holland was born.  He later met and married the love of his life, Cassandra Marie Johnson.  Mel was a loving father to Antonio and DeAnte Graham with created a beautiful blended family.  Mel worked at SYSCO, Hampton Roads – Wholesale Restaurant.

Jaamel gave us 33 years of love, joy, good times and laughter.  The room lit up every time he walked in one.  He was always the life of the party; whether it was for him, his peers or his family.  Whenever any one of us were down, he always knew how to lift us up.  Joking around was his forte’, so we always knew whenever he came around the jokes were right behind him.  To know Jaamel is to love him.  He was filled with so much life and light.  He always showed respect and did his best to honor us all.

Jaamel leaves behind to cherish his precious memories:  his wife Cassandra Marie Johnson, his daughter, Makayla Hollands, hissons, Antonio and DeAnte’ Graham, his mother and father Dia Johnson and Scotty Parker, his father Joseph Hooker Jr., his sisters, LaToya Calabrese, Johnelle Johnson and Tomekia Felton, his paternal grandmother, Mary V. Parker, his Uncles, Duian Garner, Duaine (June) Johnson, William (Gloria Jean) Hunt, Calvin (Mary) Hunt, his Aunts Damon (Kevin) Smith, Marcella Parker and Evelyn Parker and a host of nieces, nephews, great aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.