She was born in New York City to Earthlee Jackson and Wesley Johnson. Gina was raised by her Grandmother Pearl Gordon in the grounds of Harlem. She was also very close with her siblings Lizzy, Andy, James, Wilhelmina, and Jerry, whom she loved.
She attended PS 174 in Harlem, Charles Evans Hughes High School and finally graduated from Martin Luther King Jr. High School in 1982. Shortly after graduating, she worked at UCP in the payroll department, where she met Nathaniel. On June 3, 1989, Gina married Nathaniel Francis and on November 13 that year, she gave birth to her only child Ashley Francis. Her and Nathaniel separated in 95' but still remained very close friends til' the end. They loved each other through good and bad. Those vows were really kept.
Later on, Freedom House/ Barrier Free living had the pleasure of her presence as an employer working as an H&S Assistant. It was always a goal to further her education, so she made that happen at the tender age of 46. At the time of her passing, she was pursuing her dream of obtaining her Associate's degree in Human Services at BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College). Not so far from finishing up, but she was well determined to let nothing get in her way. In the upcoming semesters of 2014, she would be rolling down that isle with joy. In her early 30’s, she attended acting classes, in which she excelled and could’ve further that after finishing school.
Gina never let her disability stop her from achieving her goals in life and kept going no matter the circumstances. As a disabled woman, she embodied independence, strength, ambition, and the list goes on. In the LGBT community, she always advocated as a proud lesbian. Her grandmother Pearl Gordon had a strong presence in her life until her passing.
Gina was a loving aunt and was very welcoming to anyone in her home. Anyone who was blessed with presence will know how much she will be missed. A wonderful loving mother, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, and friend.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove you always baby mama
Happy Heavenly Birthday to you.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Dear Gina.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to you.
I sure do miss you girl. I had your crazy brother and your crazy nephew up here the other day they decided that we should eat like a family but as we finished cooking the dinner and I started making plates. I asked your brother how much food do he want on his plate? He screamed at me and said I'm not eating at this time of night in his James voice lol. But you are very much missed. Please tell your mother your grandmother and your brother that I said hi and I miss them so much.
P. S they need to give you your own song. Cause the stuff they have in the background is lame.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to you.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Dear Gina. Happy Heavenly Birthday to you.
Dear Gina, we miss you so much but I know that you're up there with your grandma and Andy and y'all are celebrating your birthday just lovely.
Gone but never forgotten Ms. Gina
When I lost you, I became you. You have installed so much strength in me since you left. When no one is listening, you hear. When I'm down, you lift me. It's been a journey. I wish you was here physically to share my endeavors. Everything has became bittersweet. I hope you liked the music I played when I visited you on Friday. Thank you for being my mom. I love you. I didn't tell you enough. Stubborn I was.
PS I'll be driving to seee you a lot, don't get sick of me though.
Leave a Tribute
You are so missed
Hi Gina. May you continue to Rest in Heaven.