What keeps us going through hardships? Ernie Johnson found the answer during the last few tough years of his life. The Inside the NBA host and his family lost precious members in these three years, and it wasn’t easy. Just a few days ago, Johnson mourned the loss of his elder sister, Christine, who passed away. While he reflected on those challenging days in the latest segment of The Steam Room Podcast, Johnson also recounted the moment that kept him going through it all.

“The last three years have been tough for our family. Lost a son, lost my mom, lost both of my sisters,” Johnson said. After a long battle with cancer, Christine passed away at the age of 72. The visitation was held on January 4. Johnson fondly recalled his sister’s skill in making quilts and rugs, which is truly rare to come across. The Inside the NBA host mentioned how his sister had a noble profession. 

She was a teacher, tasked with the most important job of influencing and guiding young minds. After completing her education at North Springs High School and the University of Georgia, she worked at Flat School in Canton, where she taught 6th-grade students. He recalled how, during the funeral, several of Christine’s students turned up and met Johnson, relaying how much of an influence she had been in their lives. 

“Had a guy come up to me before the service and said your sister taught me in sixth grade she said I’ve been through every level of school including law school I’ve never had a teacher like her. Had an couple other students address everybody there and talked about how she was their favorite teacher because she challenged them,” Johnson told Charles Barkley. One mentioned how they became an educator because of her.

Johnson shared how these moments lifted his spirits and taught him to live a life full of love. “That’s how I’m going to do life yeah unrushed unhurried yeah with love and it was good for the soul,” Johnson said. As he spoke about his sister, he also reflected on the passing of his son and mother.

Ernie Johnson was heartbroken after the passing of his son and mother 

Johnson is married to Cheryl. The two have had two biological kids and four adopted kids in their family. But in 2021, the world came crashing down when their son, Michael Johnson, passed away. The couple adopted Michael from Romania in 1991. He was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and passed away at the age of 33.

“This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy lived a miraculous life of 33 years. We lost Michael Johnson today and we’re crushed. But we also know we’ll see him again…and that sustains us,” Johnson captioned his IG post.

Former Atlanta Braves broadcaster Ernie Johnson Sr.’s wife, Lois Marjorie Johnson, passed away at the age of 64 in 2023. Growing up in Vermont, she met her husband there, and the two were married for 63 years. They had three children, Johnson and two daughters, Christine and Dawn. She was excellent at playing the piano and a true fighter who beat cancer twice as her family said. She was the engine of the Johnson family. Johnson’s TNT crew also sent their condolences.

“My condolences to Ernie and his family, I know it is a tough moment. But 94 years old she lived a great life, and she raised a great son,” Shaquille O’Neal said. It was a tough time for the family.