Ruth Beal Johnson

Ruth Beal Johnson, 93, of Sarasota, FL went to be with the Lord on December 10, 2012. She was born in Pittsboro, NC and came to live in Sarasota, FL with her daughter and grandson in 1982. She was a homemaker and married to Ezra H. Johnson before his death in 1981. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church, Gulf, NC, where she grew up. The daughter of the late Sallie Margaret and Robert Henry Beal; eldest sister to the late, Ruby Beal Poe, Gertrude Beal Hall and Devereux Beal. She is survived by her daughter, Kaye Johnson Matthews; grandson, Kevin Johnson Matthews and Kerrie Robinson; great-grandson, Kaleb Matthews and great-granddaughter, Genevieve Matthews; step-great-granddaughter, Isabelle Robinson; sister, Rachel Beal Mansfield and husband, Julian; nephew, Mark Mansfield; nieces, Carolyn Hall Kelly, Judy Poe Lloyd and Barbara Hall Sprouse. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at First Brethren Church, 150 Shade Ave., Sarasota, FL on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Pastor David Stone officiating. Visition will be from 10 to 11 AM Tuesday Dec. 18, 2012 at the Smith & Buckner Funeral. A private burial will be held at the Big Meadows Primitive Baptist Church, Pittsboro, NC on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Brethren Church, Care Ministries, 150 N. Shade Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237. Arrangements are by Jennings Funeral Home & Crematory and Smith & Buckner Funeral Home.