Virginia Ruth Johnson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Virginia Ruth Johnson, 86, retired educator and devoted follower of Christ, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mrs. Johnson was born on Feb. 7, 1923, in Ewing to H.L. and Lillian (Jenkins) Waters.

She is survived by her son, David L. Johnson (Roxanne) of Mountain Home, Ark.; six daughters, Carla Monroe of Mount Vernon, Nita Irvin (Dennis) of Harrisburg, Kathy Tribo (John) of Brenham, Texas, Sarah Eiler (Charles) of Tulsa, Okla., Elizabeth Nelson (Mark) of Excelsior, Minn. and Debbie Shannon (Jeff) of Tulsa, Okla.; two sisters, Elizabeth Miller and Rachel Hines; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl H. Johnson; one brother, Lee Waters; a son-in-law, Alex Monroe; and her dear parents.

Mrs. Johnson has been a resident of Tulsa, Okla., for the past four years, coming from Carmi. She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church. She loved her family second only to God and having her family together for the holidays. She enjoyed traveling with her kids, going on mission trips and playing Scrabble and chicken foot with her family and friends. She loved being part of the Women's Missionary Union and singing in the church choir, being in the mountains and viewing fall foliage or watching it snow.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, at the College Heights Baptist Church, 2321 Illinois Ave., Eldorado. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills. Visitation will be at the church after 9:30 a.m. on Friday until the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the India Pastor's Fund; please make checks payable to Debbie Shannon. Envelopes will be available at the church.

The Johnston Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is in charge of arrangements.