This past week has been the hardest of my life. On Saturday, we said our final goodbyes to my darling mother in law, Ruth Ann Johnson-as she was laid to rest along side her husband at the Dowling Park Church of God. Her passing was both shocking and heartbreaking not to just me but her entire family and community. My mother in law was a beautiful person, inside and out. I will admit, I did tell her all the time how much I loved and appreciated her. I don't have to live with the regret of not being open about my feelings, thank God. She made it easy though, she was open, kind, generous and most of all loving. She would show up to things for all her grandchildren, even ones that were not born to her like my children from a previous marriage. You could count on her to answer the phone, and the door for you. She always had time for you.
There isn't a word out there in my vocabulary that can express how much I will miss having her in my life, and how much her passing has changed me. There is a big hole in my entire being. I say this, and I am only her daughter in law-I cannot even grasp the amount of pain her children are feeling-though I can see it in their faces and it breaks me to look at them, but I just want to be around them-and talk to them, and remind them how much we all love each other.
I feel so grateful to have known her for the 11 years of marriage to Billy, and the 3 years before marriage (so a total of 14 years). She raised her children basically on her own, since their father passed when my husband was only 10 years old. She raised them all to be such wonderful caring and incredibly strong people-and because of this I know we will all be ok, eventually.
Anyway, I don't want to carry on about my feelings, but did want to share something her daughters wrote:
"Ruth Ann Johnson, 65, of Live Oak, FL was reunited in heaven with her late husband on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. She was a lifelong resident of Live Oak and recently retired from Mayo Correctional Institute. She was a member of Dowling Park Church of God. Her best days were spent with her children, grandchildren, and family. Her children and grandchildren were the most important things in her life and she always made sure they knew it. (Especially her son and first grandson that were often lovingly referred to by other family members as her favorites.) She enjoyed thrift shopping and loved finding vintage treasures for her family. She also enjoyed adventures with her dear cousin Wanda and loved spending days sitting and visiting with her longtime friend, Faye. After retirement, she spent most days “piddling” in her yard or just sitting at home relaxing. She was a rock and endured more than most during her time on this earth. She was someone that could always be counted on to help others with problems, no matter how big or small. She was the perfect definition of selfless. Ruth Ann is survived by her son: Billy Wade Johnson (Lela), Fort White; two daughters: Crystal Johnson Pearson, Live Oak; Eualina Johnson Trawick (David), Mayo; nine grandchildren: Teresa, Gavin, Madisyn, Weston, Xander, Grace, Gage, Olivia, and Ty; two great-grandchildren: Oscar and Felix; one brother, Kenneth Dale Hart; nephew, Vincent Hampton Hart; as well many more nephews, nieces, family, and friends. Her family finds great comfort knowing she is now with the Lord where she has always strived to be. She was reunited with her husband, Richard Bruce Johnson; parents, Billy and Ruth Hart; brother, Gary, as well as Rev. George and Virginia Johnson. She will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her."
https://www.danielsfuneralhome.com/obituary/ruth-johnson
