Obituary of Zechariah Tre-Shawn Lanier

Zechariah Tre-Shawn Lanier AKA “Phantom” AKA “Zech” or also known as “A mighty man GOD” embarked on his heavenly journey on May 10, 2025.

Born March 30, 2002, at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth to Charita Mills and Michael Johnson.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfathers Darryl Averette and Samuel Miller, his paternal grandfather Michael Johnson and uncle Mikel Scott.

Zechariah was educated in the Chesapeake Public School System after completing his early childhood classes K3-K5 at Cathedral of Faith Christian School.  After graduating from Deep Creek High School, Zech began expressing his love for barbering and photography.  From being at the Barber Shop with his own chair to helping with the Media Ministry at Cathedral of Faith C.O.G.I.C.  where he was a faithful and dedicated member. Faithfully served in youth ministries.  He served in the children’s choir, helped direct the children’s choir, played drums during children’s choir rehearsals, served on the youth usher board, faithfully attended of Youth Bible Study and Sunday School, served on the Praise Dance Team and Mime Ministry Member, assisted with Bookstore snack sales.  He sometimes would wait on Bishop’s arrival so he could carry his bags inside.  Zechariah was very selfless.  Always putting others before himself.  He loved to serve.  Through all of that, Zech would make sure he spent time with family and friends.  Whether it was hanging out with his friends after church ,with his  little brother…cutting his hair, teaching him how to ride his bike, dancing with him, picking on him and just doing what big brothers do or going to Atlanta with his big sister for the summer to do what annoying little brother do to later on become big sister’s “TWIN”.   Affectionately, Zechariah enjoyed loving on people and loving on his grandparents and his family was priority.  He later relocated to Junction City, Kansas to be with his Aunt to find better opportunities and there he joined the Greatest United States Navy, following in his parents’ footsteps. 

We always knew that there was something special about Zechariah…hence his name, but when he joined the Navy, this is when Zech’s light begins to shine BRIGHTER.  From starting his own bible study in the berthing in Boot Camp with the other recruits to helping one recruit pass his run portion of the Physical Readiness Test.  While everyone was laying in their racks at night, Zech would run with this young man in the berthing to help him prepare for his test as well as pray with him ensuring that GOD would not let him fail.  He continued to Pensacola, Florida for more training but most importantly to create memories, make connections and lifetime friendships that has now became family.   Being in Pensacola allowed him to travel a shorter distance to Alabama to spend more time with his family in Alabama as well.  Once training was complete, he received orders to San Deigo, California.   During his time in San Diego, he was stationed on board USS San Diego (LPD-22), Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command San Diego, CA and USS Essex (LHD 2).  He achieved the rank of a Second Class Petty Officer as well as re-enlisting for another 6 years.  IT2 Lanier enjoyed making people laugh, nature trails, hiking with his peers and having a good time with good people.  Often you could catch him in the gym or on the field playing football with his shipmates, team mates or the fellas.  He loved building morale and seeing others smile.

He leaves to cherish his memories his mother and bonus dad, Charita and Recardo Mills of Chesapeake, VA; his father, Michael Johnson of Maryland; three sisters ZyKerria Lanier of Chesapeake, VA, MaKayla and Dominique Johnson of Jackson AL; and two brothers ZaBeyun Mills of Chesapeake, VA and Michael Johnson, Jr of Dothan, AL; maternal grandmother Robin Miller of Chesapeake, VA and paternal grandmother Daisy Bettis of Jackson, AL;  three aunts Darnisha Morris of Junction City, KS, Rieshia Johnson of Jackson, AL, Artrea Scott of Leroy, AL; six uncles Darryl Lanier (Tranequa) of Apex, NC, Derrick Lanier (Brittany) of Chesapeake, VA, Marcus Ezell (LaToya) of Shreveport LA, Arthur Scott (Diamond) , Daniel Scott (Keandra) and Kenyati Scott of Leroy, AL; best friend Artavious Green of Morton, MS and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. 

To our village:

We are so happy and grateful for the small circle of true, trusted, loving and consistent friends that we have in our life right now.  From the time Zechariah left for bootcamp GOD had already placed the right people in the right places. Every command he went to there was a connection already made before he got there.  Whether it was from his parents connecting with people or his military uncles calling ahead letting people know that “nephew” is on the way…” look out for him”.   Thank you for loving our baby, taking care of our baby and helping to groom our baby.  We greatly appreciate it.