On January 9th 2026, Jesus took Esme Ivah Johnson from the arms of her loving parents into His own so she could finally rest.  She was born November 2, 2020 in Huntington WV to Jeremy Ryan Johnson and Melissa Alice (Harmon) Johnson where she had been anticipated for 14 years.  Her name which came to her mother in a dream literally meaning "beloved gift from God" and she was exactly that.  She followed many loved ones to heaven including her paternal grandparents Richard Hobart "Paw Paw" Johnson and Edna Irene Johnson of Crown City, OH, maternal Great-Grandparents George Martin Zuspan and Iva Ernestine "Grandma Teen" (Grinstead) Zuspan of Mason WV and Maternal Great Grandparents Herbert Taylor Harmon Sr. and Adona "Donna" Jean (Swisher) Harmon of Point Pleasant WV.

Esme was a beautiful girl with a contagious smile and a happy heart.  She loved the color purple, the sound of birds (or her Papa recreating bird songs), the warmth of the sunshine, the sound of the ocean and the wind blowing through the trees and soft piano music.  Esme also enjoyed listening to her audio bible as she had listened to it in its entirety on multiple occasions, she and Jesus have had a lot to talk about already.  Esme loved watching and listening to Bluey episodes, particularly the episode "Rain" which brought her to tears.  She loved warm cuddles from her family and especially playing with her sister Edie.  Edie would dance with Esme while holding her hand a leading her in her chair around the room.  Esme often communicated with blinks, either one or two when asked and would often express contentment or displeasure with soft gentle exhales "puffs" or aggravated sighs (this is how she became known as our little puffin girl).  Her Papa would often tickle her cheeks and she would smile and talk.  She loved hearing Papa and Mama talk to each other which would often soothe her, it seemed like she could never get enough.  Esme was loving and gentle and was an excellent big sister.  From the time Esme was born Papa called her his acorn because he told her she would grow to be a strong oak tree.  She became that strong oak for us because she could calm us and keep us centered when the stresses of life crept in.  She loved hearing voice messages from loved ones especially Grandpa Herb because she was his "Jesus Girl".  She was loved beyond measure during her time with us and she was the center of our family.  We are grateful for the 5 years we were able to share with her and it was a blessing to be able to care for, protect, and love her and it will be a pleasure to continue to honor her for the rest of our lives. We know she is alive and thriving like never before and one day we will all be together again.

Esme lives on through her parents, baby sister Edie Irelyn Johnson, Maternal Grandparents Herbert T Harmon Jr. and Alice Ernestine (Zuspan) Harmon from Point Pleasant WV, Uncle Michael and Aunt Bridget Harmon cousins Eli Taylor Harmon and Ava Lynn Harmon all of Scott Depot WV as well as many great Uncles and Aunts and cousins.

The celebration and service for Esme will be held at Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton WV with a public visitation at 1pm on Friday January 16, 2026 and a funeral service following at 2pm and graveside service at Resthaven Memorial Park Princeton WV.  Wear purple on the day of the service if you would like and in lieu of flowers please donate to the Skylar Henkes Foundation P.O. Box 394 Princeton WV 24740 or 304-887-1188

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com . The Johnson family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory on Athens Road in Princeton.