Obituary of Ruby Johnson

Ruby Matilda Smith Johnson, 85, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mrs. Johnson, daughter of Clarence and Beulah (Hall) Ritchey was born April 6, 1926, in Brookeland, Texas. She was an ordained minister of the Pentecostal faith. Mrs. Johnson pastored and evangelized in many different states and was a licensed member of the Bibleway Association in Doniphan. She was also a life-time member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary. She was first married to Drew Smith in 1942 and he preceded her in death on October 29, 1949. She was married to Aubrey Johnson in 1995 and he survives. Also surviving are three sons; Drew Smith of Grandin, Missouri, and Jimmy Smith and Terry Smith, both of Doniphan, Missouri; two daughters, Jean Ward of Seabrook, Texas, and Jane Beyer of Glen Carbon, Illinois; two step-sons, Wayne Johnson and Mike Johnson, both of Park Hills, Missouri; three step-daughters, Janet Jones of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Peggy Kramer of Park Hills, Missouri, and Wanda Russell of Farmington, Missouri; five sisters, Yvonne Vance of Pekin, Illinois, Sarah King of Grandin, Missouri, Cathy Brown, Naomi Wells and Phyllis Adams, all of Ellsinore, Missouri; three brothers, Sylvester Ritchey and Cecil Ritchey, both of Grandin, Missouri, and John Ritchey of Forrest City, Illinois; and thirty-four grandchildren and forty-eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Beulah Hall Ritchey, her first husband, Drew Smith, three sisters, Margzetta Brown, Mary Hackey and Sheila Ritchey; and three brothers, James Ritchey, Wesley Ritchey, Arthur "Corkey" Ritchey and Clarence Ritchey. Visitation for Mrs. Johnson will be Friday evening, June 24, 2011, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will take place Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Harry Chronister officiating. Burial will follow in the Macedonia Cemetery.