Ruth Eloise Godwin Johnson was born on July 11, 1937, in Oak Grove, Louisiana, and went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 9, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family.  Ruth was the first born of six children to Reverend Manual Hebron Godwin and Ruby Howard Godwin.  She put down roots in Shreveport, Louisiana, as a teenager, when her family moved here in 1954. Ruth graduated from Fair Park High School in 1955 and went on to marry Donald Royce Matthews that same year. They had two children, Cynthia Ruth Jett and Darren Royce Matthews. Later in life, Ruth married the love of her life, James O'Neal Johnson, who stood by her side through her long-term struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Ruth had a wonderful life with many life experiences. She worked and eventually retired from the Drake Company, an iconic downtown Shreveport office supply and printing company.  Ruth was a faithful member at Huntington Park Church of the Nazarene and later at Trinity Heights Baptist Church.  Ruth enjoyed traveling around the United States and Canada, seeing the beautiful, natural scenery both countries had to offer.  As a lover of flowers and gardening, Ruth spent her spare time working in her yard.  Her reward for all of her hard work was being able to sit outside and watch all of the hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and anything else her beautiful flowers attracted. Ruth truly had a green thumb and any visitor to her home can attest to that fact!

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Hebron and Ruby Godwin and sister, Omah Godwin.

Left to cherish her memory, are her husband, James O'Neal Johnson; daughter, Cynthia Jett; son, Darren Matthews and wife, Viviana; granddaughters, Brianna Jett and partner, Deborah, Connie Sasser Matthews, and Stephanie Sasser and fiancé, James; grandson, Andrew Matthews; great-granddaughters, Brooklyn Puckett and Abigail Sasser; sisters, Madeline & Randy Barnhill, Evie and Sonny Croswell, Ruby Gaskins and partner, Ariel Ramos; brother, M.H. Godwin and wife, Kathy; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

There will be a graveside service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Centuries Memorial Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71108.

The family would like to thank all the doctors involved in Ruth's care over the years.  They would also like to thank, Cypress Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Lifepath Hospice, especially, Tara MacMullen-Turner, for the loving care they provided for Ruth.  Finally, with immeasurable thanks to Evie Croswell, Ruby Gaskins, Carol Humphries, Kelly Morris, and Glen Humphries for their selfless dedication and sacrifice to Ruth and her care, during her final weeks here with us.