ANNIE R. JOHNSON
Funeral services for the late Mrs. Annie R. Johnson were held on March 11 at 12 noon from Pine Level Baptist Church. Rev. Johnny Sanders, pastor and Rev. Rufus Johnson, officiated. Burial followed in the churchyard cemetery. Hudson Funeral Services, Greenville directed.
Mrs. Annie Ruth Johnson was born in Butler County, on May 26, 1925 to the late Jessie Norris Sr. & Thelma (Morrison) Dimbo. She was the oldest of nine siblings.
One preceded her in death, Ernestine Dimbo, of Detroit, Mich. Annie Ruth was raised by her maternal Grandmother, Luella Morrison. She was a positive influence in Annie Ruth’s daily walk with Christ.
At an early age, she along with her family attended Poplar Springs Baptist Church. She remained a dedicated member until she moved her membership to Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church to be united in Holy Matrimony to Rufus Johnson Sr. on September 16, 1944. To this union, six children were born.
She was preceded in death by her husband after 54 years of marriage. She served as a deaconess at the Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church as well as being a surrogate mother for the entire community.
She loved family gatherings and was the matriarch of the family. She was an avid reader who loved poems and was often called upon to recite her poems at numerous church events. She was a gentle kind-hearted woman and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. She was known for her “beautiful smile”.
She leaves to cherish her memories six children, Catherine Brown, Annie Irene Atkins, Ruby Nell Simmons, Pastor Rufus (Betty) Johnson Jr. all of Greenville ; Jacqueline Johnson, Cedric (Angelina) Johnson both of Montgomery; Annie Ruth also leaves to cherish her memory, seven siblings, Jessie (Doris) Norris Jr., James (Daisy) Peterson, Betty Peterson, Joann Davis, all of Dayton Ohio; Shelia Norris of Sacramento CA, Loretta Norris, & Cathy Norris both of Greenville; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, one preceded her in death (Sgt. Lakeshia Mesha Bailey) and thirteen great-great children, one preceded her in death (Tecori Bailey) and a host of nieces (one special niece preceded her in death Brenda Dimbo Etheridge), nephews, relatives and friends. The family would like to acknowledge one special great grandson, Demario Bailey, for being there during her latter days of illness.