Mildred Evangeline Johnson-Best was born on July 29,1950 in Hampton, Virginia to Mildred Walton and John W. Johnson. Mildred was the second oldest of five children. She attended the public schools of Hampton; graduating from Hampton High School. She continued her education in Richmond, Virginia and New York City.

Mildred moved to Harlem, New York in the 1970's. She began her work career at Carver Bank. She later moved to the Bronx, where she met and married her husband Ernest Best on September 8, 1976. They had their first child in 1977, Ernica Best and second child in 1980, Roteshia Best.

She was one of the thousands of people who were affected by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Mildred worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles for over 25 years. Later transferring to the Department of Corrections, where she retired.

She loved to travel to many places, such as Barbados, Canada, Florida, Pennsylvania. She enjoyed mingling with friends, coworkers, and family. She loved being with family, she would take family trips with her mother and sister, Mildred E. Johnson and Laverna Johnson. She often travelled back home to Hampton, Virginia to visit family and friends. She supported Ernest and his cricket team - Sussex Cricket Social Club for many years.

She transitioned to her eternal home on Saturday, December 14th, 2024. She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Mildred and John W. Johnson; sisters Trelawney and Laverna Johnson, and nephews Cornell and Jermaine Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory of a soft spoken, humble, strong mother, and wife: her husband, Ernest Best; daughters, Ernica and Roteshia Best; granddaughters, Janee and Jodi Best-Chapman; stepson, Anderson Blades (Janelle) of Barbados and their 3 children; brother, John Wesley Johnson Jr. (Brenda) of Yorktown Viginia; niece, Kelsey Johnson of Williamsburg Virginia; nephew, Auntrey Johnson, of Hampton Virginia, and great-nieces Jahde and Lily; great-great-nieces and other family and friends.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life service starting at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at First Church Newport News - Baptist.  Interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.