Ruth E. Johnson

She was born April 17, 1923. in Pittsfield, Mass. to the late Edward and Annie Hall Brown. She has resided in Russell since 1988 and was a former resident of Clifton, N.J., Marion, Princetown and Clymer, N.Y. She attended North Warren Presbyterian Church and the Warren Senior Center.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Russell G. Johnson, whom she married August 26, 1950 in Pittsfield, Mass.; two children: Karen Marsh (David) of Chili, N.Y., and Bruce Johnson (Katharine) of Willow Grove, Pa.; son- in-law, Harold MacMillan of Highland Lakes, N.J., son-in-law, Jesus Sarte’ (Joy) of Freehold, N.J.; 12 grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters: Kristine Sarte and Linnea MacMillan; four sisters: infant, Harriet Brown, Gracia Brown, Edna Lind and Lois Ives; and one brother, the Rev. Ralph Brown.

Ruth is remembered for her kindness to and interest in people. She always could recall names and details about peoples’ lives. Wherever she was, people did not remain strangers for long. Ruth had an intense interest in all of her relatives and their “doings” and was especially good at remembering all their birth-dates. Her keen intellect remained to the end. She was always up to a good game of Scrabble or the challenge of logic puzzles, crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Her spelling skills were celebrated in 1999 when she won the Pennsylvania Older Adult Spelling Championship. Ruth was also interested in hand-crafts, especially sewing and knitting, and she ex-celled in each of them.

As her husband, Russell says, she was a wonderful partner in the ministries he led as pastor of four different churches throughout the years. Her love of peo-ple was a great asset to the ministry. Ruth willingly served her Lord Jesus and was quick to serve others in his name.

Music was important in her life. She studied voice as a young woman, and she sang many solos and in many choirs throughout the years of their ministry. She often sat at the piano and played beloved hymns and songs by ear. Members of the family remember the Saturdays when the Metropolitan Opera Broadcast could be heard in the home.

Ruth was a loving moth-er to her four children. She nurtured them in their varied talents and, along with her husband, Russell, brought them up to love and serve God. Her family is exceedingly grateful for her faithful lifetime of service and love.

A private service will be held at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. A public memorial service will be announced at a later time. Those wishing to submit e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www. lewis funeralhomeinc.com

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the Westminster Theological Seminary, 2960 W. Church Road, Glenside, PA. 19038.