Desiree was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 22, 1993, the daughter of Maurice Johnson and Jessica Waite. Desiree attended Belton public schools for the entirety of her education.
During her years at Belton High School, she dedicated time to varsity volleyball and set records in varsity softball. Over the years she earned countless accolades, including academic and athletic letters, achieved honor roll, and importantly made many, many friends. In addition to school athletics, she spent most of her spare time playing in competitive softball tournaments and/or club volleyball tournaments for organizations in the Kansas City area. To ask anyone who knew her, she was the light in any room she entered and was quick to make someone laugh.
In 2015, Desiree was blessed with her son, Luke. He became the center of her world and she dedicated herself to becoming his mom and number one fan. In their short time together, they were able to share many experiences including vacations, festivals, street fairs, Christmas light viewings each year, and countless other traditions they built as a family. Family was everything to Desiree, so holiday celebrations were some of the biggest moments she and Luke shared, especially Christmas, and Luke’s favorite Halloween.
She never missed the opportunity to dress up with him (and spend months talking about, and visiting stores with, animatronics). All of Luke’s school buddies loved Miss Desiree – she was the fun mom that would help at school celebrations, always present and invested. Desiree was a Cub Scout Leader in Troop #124 in Raymore where she loved all the scouts like her own and they loved her.
She spent several seasons as a volunteer softball coach for Raymore Recreation, where she built strong relationships with the team and had the opportunity to stress the importance of responsibility, teamwork, independence, and create a safe space for the girls. Most recently she was Assistant Coach for Luke’s basketball team, a new experience they were both enjoying for the first time this season.
Desiree was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Mary Witherspoon.
She is survived by her loving and amazing son, Luke Johnson; her partner, Shawn Sidwell; mother, Jessica Ward (Kareen); father, Maurice Johnson; maternal grandparents, Larry and Phyllis Banks and step-paternal grandmother Sonja Expose; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The relationships she had with Larry, Phyllis, and Sonja (Granny) can’t be explained with words. She was so close to all of them. She is dearly loved and will be truly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Luke’s Future Fund c/o Jessica Ward. If you would like to make a donation, you can Venmo @Jessica-Ward-19, or a collection box will be available at the visitation for checks. All funds will be allocated to an account for Luke’s use in his future endeavors.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, Missouri 64083. The family has requested Kansas City Chiefs Red Friday attire for the visitation (if you would like to). For anyone who would like to continue celebrating her life and memory after the service, there will be a gathering at Johnny’s in Raymore.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278
Desiree was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Mary Witherspoon.
She is survived by her loving and amazing son, Luke Johnson; her partner, Shawn Sidwell; mother, Jessica Ward (Kareen); father, Maurice Johnson; maternal grandparents, Larry and Phyllis Banks and step-paternal grandmother Sonja Expose; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The relationships she had with Larry, Phyllis, and Sonja (Granny) can’t be explained with words. She was so close to all of them. She is dearly loved and will be truly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Luke’s Future Fund c/o Jessica Ward. If you would like to make a donation, you can Venmo @Jessica-Ward-19, or a collection box will be available at the visitation for checks. All funds will be allocated to an account for Luke’s use in his future endeavors.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, Missouri 64083. The family has requested Kansas City Chiefs Red Friday attire for the visitation (if you would like to). For anyone who would like to continue celebrating her life and memory after the service, there will be a gathering at Johnny’s in Raymore.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278
