tonight her mother, tina knowles-lawson, shares her memories and the family's despair.d growing up. johnny was a light. johnny was the funniest person in the whole world. >> reporter: miss tina knowles-lawson, mom to one of the world's most famous women, beyonce. that's her uncle johnny to the right. miss tina is transported back in time, remembering her nephew johnny. but the two were close in age, almost like siblings, finding a common bond in their love for fashion. >> we were designers, we were hairstylists, makeup artists, we had a ball together. he made me laugh more than anybody else that i've ever seen in my life. i found out that johnny had aids through him being hospitalized. and i went to see him. we had no forewarning. >> reporter: that diagnosis, devastating to the entire family, who considered johnny their centerpiece. >> i want to dedicate this award to my uncle johnny. the most fabulous gay man i've ever known, ever known. >> our thanks to juju. you can watch the full special "viral: a world without aids" on "abc news live," also available to stream tomo