Farewell, Sweet Neighbor

“Hey, neighbor!” That’s how Johnette Isham would greet me ever since I moved right across the street from her in downtown Bradenton back in 2017. It didn’t matter if it was at one of my gigs, or when I was playing the farmers market, on the street, or some community event—it was always “neighbor.” Johnette was Bradenton’s friendliest neighbor and while her passing is a tremendous loss, her legacy is a blessing that will not soon be forgotten.

I first met Johnette around 2012/13 when I was working at the Central Library. I was at the circulation desk when she introduced herself. I thought she was super quirky. She was energetic and her facial expressions showed it all of the time. If you told me I would come to collaborate with her over the years, I wouldn't have believed it.

But all that changed once I got to know Johnette and saw her love of bringing people together. She was one of my biggest supporters, always rooting for me and providing me with opportunities to showcase my musical and writing talents.

It wasn’t until I moved downtown that I really got to know the woman beyond the non-profit organization Realize Bradenton. She introduced me to her son, Matt, who lived in Los Angeles at the time. We quickly connected and became friends, and he played a crucial role when I decided to move to LA to pursue my dream of working in the television industry.

I house-sat for Johnette and her husband Jeff while they were on vacation with Matt. I felt honored that she trusted me to watch over their beautiful, artsy home. The house was decorated with local artwork and Jeff’s amazing guitar collection. They were even kind enough to let me play his guitars. I was ecstatic.

Last December, Matt texted me that Johnette wanted to see me when I came to town for the holidays. I had no idea it would be the last time I’d see her in person. I stopped by her house and was greeted by Matt. Johnette was sitting in a recliner when I entered. We talked and I told her how things were going in Hollywood. She said that she was proud of me and happy I moved to LA.

Since I learned of her passing, I’ve replayed that last time seeing her over and over in my mind, concentrating in an effort to recall the memory exactly as it occurred. I will always cherish those final 30 minutes I had with her in the city she loved so dearly. I always enjoyed the full-of-life Johnette that I met over 10 years ago, but there was something about sitting with her in the quiet and just talking that I’ll remember the most.

This has been a difficult week for so many people whose lives she touched, myself included. Johnette was truly one-of-a-kind and there simply is no way to prepare for a loss as great as hers. I’ve read so many tributes to her over the last few days and even spent time reviewing our old text threads. On Wednesday, I just wept, overcome with a need to let it out. As the tears flowed down my cheeks, I fought against reality. How is she gone? Followed by, Why is she gone? Finally, I can’t believe that she’s gone.

As I make peace with her passing, I reflect on the time we spent together. From the farmers market gigs to Realize Bradenton pop-ups, to our group trip to Winter Haven for a conference. In fact, that includes one of my favorite memories of her.

Johnette loved my Ray-Ban Clubmasters, and she asked to try them on. Someone snapped a photo and then Johnette passed my sunglasses on to someone else, who wore them. Someone snapped a pic and then they were passed on to several others. We each took a pic in my Ray-Bans—portrait style in black and white.

Johnette was so fun to be around. She was one of the most generous, kind, and supportive people you could ever hope to meet. I truly hope that she knew how much she was loved in return, for she loved Bradenton, and this city most certainly loved her back.

Johnette (second from left), the author (far right)