Ruth Helen Johnston
Ruth Helen Johnston, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 10, 2019, at Calder Woods Retirement Community in Beaumont. Ruth was born on May 29, 1926, in Lockport, Illinois, the daughter of Leroy and Bertie Johnston and baby sister to brothers Leroy and Norman. Ruth and family came to Texas when she was seven years old; she resided in Port Arthur until a move to Beaumont later in life.
Ruth graduated from Port Arthur’s Thomas Jefferson High School and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Women’s University, graduating with honors. After college, she spent many years as a teacher, beginning as a second-grade teacher at Groves Elementary and then moving to Groves Junior High School where she taught almost every subject – English, algebra, history, and music. After her career at the junior high school, she took her love of children and gift for teaching to the Beaumont Neurological Center, where she developed and led a school for children with special needs. She is remembered by many of her students as a very special teacher.
Ruth was always interested in learning something new and sharing that with others. She was a gifted pianist, and introduced many young people, including her nieces and nephew, to music as their piano teacher. She was an amazing seamstress, making many of her clothes in her young days and sewing for her nieces. She was adept at many crafts – embroidery, tatting, knitting, and ceramics. She was also a passionate dog lover and was known for bringing her beloved Basset Hound to work at Beaumont Neurological Center as a therapy dog.
In her later years, Ruth traveled the world, taking in all the sights in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. She generously shared what she saw with her family, bringing home treasures to give as Christmas gifts. Photo albums are full of wonderful shots of cruises, tours, theater outings, and happy times with friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; niece, Jeanne Ward; and great-nephew, Ted Michaelsen. She is survived by her nephew, Norman Johnston and wife, Janet, of Anna, Texas; niece, Janis Richardson and husband, Merle, of Hallettsville, Texas; nephew-in-law, Tom Ward of New Bern, North Carolina; lifelong friend, Juanell Jones of Beaumont; two great-nieces; five great-nephews; and nine great-great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Ruth will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 29, 2019, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont. There will be a reception in the church parlor following the service.
A Celebration of Life for friends and family to remember Ruth, will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Buckner Calder Woods, 7080 Calder Avenue, Beaumont.
A family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Ruth’s family offers special thanks to hospice nurse, Janet Guzman and the staff of Harbor Hospice of Beaumont for their compassionate care.
The family requests that memorials for Ruth be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Easterseals, 141 West Jackson Boulevard, 1400A Chicago, Illinois 60604; or any charity of choice.
Broussard's Crematorium
Broussard's Crematorium
- 5150 stivers street beaumont tx 77705
A Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life
- 7080 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706
- 06/29/2019
Memorial Service
Memorial Service
- 1350 north 23rd street beaumont tx 77706
- 06/29/2019
- 11:00 am
Comments
Patrice Rabalais
I had the pleasure and honor of working with Ruth in South Park and Beaumont ISD. We worked several summers together and her love for the children was so evident. She had a beautiful smile, lovely laugh, and could be very stern when necessary. She was also a “lady”. Her dress, hair, and makeup were always in place for any event. Will miss you my friend.
David Martin
God has a way of communicating with us when we least expect it. You were my teacher back in 1979. I was a troubled teen, and on the verge of quitting high school when our paths first crossed. You were stern, but fair, and we always knew that you cared about us. Some years later, I ran into you while on leave from the Air Force. I could see the pride in your face when you had seen that I was on the right track. I went on to serve 30-years, and completed 2 college degrees. I now work in higher education, and I owe a lot of it to you. I’ve thought of you often, and many times wondered where you were. I would have loved to had seen you again after all of these years, just to say thanks. I was thinking about you just a couple of weeks ago, after learning that we l0st another one of our teachers. In fact, it was by pure coincidence that I came across this article, or maybe it was his plan all along. At any rate, Thank You Ms Johnston for everything. I speak not only for myself, but for all of the others you helped get on the “right” track. Although I wish I could have told you in person, somehow I believe you’ve received the message loud and clear.