Thursday, Decem ber 22, 2011 1:00 pm THANKFUL BAPTIST CHURCH 302 Walker Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 T he E ssence O f H er i BENNIE RUTH JOHNSON was born December 31, 1942 to parents, Bennie Tillman and Georgia Bell Pugh. She was a native o f Edgefield County, South Carolina. She entered into rest on Thursday, December 15, 2011. "Bennie" or "Bennie Ruth", as she was affectionately known, was a member o f Thankful Baptist Church since she was a young child. She received her primary education from Peter H. Craig Elementary, A. R. Johnson and graduated from Lucy Laney High School (Class o f 1960). While attending high school, her love for music introduced her to the clarinet and the marching band. She attended Savannah State College where she was the recipient o f a band scholarship. Bennie worked for the Charlotte Observer Newspaper, and upon returning to Augusta, became an em ployee o f the Augusta Police Department for over ten years. She was also a loyal em ployee for the State Farm Insurance Claims Office in Evans, Georgia. She took on many different roles and responsibilities and retired in 2003 after twenty five years o f service. Bennie demonstrated herself as a dedicated, hard-working em ployee in all o f her roles and in her personal life as well. Bennie leaves behind her beloved family members including: a loving and devoted husband, Leroy Johnson Jr.; parents, Georgia (James) Pugh; she was a loving mother to Jeffereon Jackson o f Baton Rouge, LA, Jennifer Jackson o f Denton, TX, Donza (Michael) Worlds o f Lawnside, NJ and Dena (Dr. Charlton Judson) Pickett o f Augusta, GA; sisters, Fannie (Rodney) Prince o f Charlotte, NC and Teresa (Charles) Cummings o f Augusta, GA; aunt, Estelle (Claude) Dixon o f Augusta, GA; uncles, Lawrence (Ella) Merriweather o f Scotch Plains, NJ and Frank Merriweather o f Hartsdale, NY; cherished grandchildren, Bryce and Brent Jackson o f Denton, TX, Judson Jr. and Madison Pickett o f Augusta, GA, Michael Jr. and Destiny Worlds o f Lawnside, NJ; as w ell as a host o f nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bennie w ill be most remembered for her love o f angels which she collected, and her displayed photos o f her cherished friends and family members. Bennie and Leroy enjoyed traveling to see family, spending time with their grandchildren, and enjoyed many travels to various destinations. She was w ell known for her outgoing personality. She was fondly known to welcome those who came into her home with her warm generosity and home cooked meals. Reverend Nathaniel Dunn - Officiating PROCESSIONAL.................................. .................... Dr. Roosevelt Simpkin SOLO................................................... ........................ Mrs. Barbara Snapp OPENING PRAYER............................... .............. Reverend Nathaniel Dunn SCRIPTURE Old Testament.................................. Reverend Henry Merriweather New Testament.......................... .............. Reverend Westley Guyton SOLO........................................................................ Deacon Frank Howard WORDS OF REMEMBERANCE Classmate/Church Member - Dr. James E. Carter Family Member - Mrs. Cheryl Leakes (G randchildren) Extended Family Member - Ms. Delores Lawrence CARDS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......... .................. Mrs. Brenda Hankinson SELECTION......................................... ..... Thankful Baptist Church Choir READING OF OBITUARY..................... ....Master Bryce Alexander Jackson EULOGY/WORDS OF COMFORT......... .............. Pastor Christopher Waters RECESSIONAL..................................... ....... Thankful Baptist Church Choir FINAL RESTING PLACE...................... ................. Hillcrest Memorial Park 2700 Deans Bridge Road Augusta, Georgia FELLOWSHIP REPAST Immediately after the Internment, the family would like for you to join them for a meal prepared by Thankful Baptist Church Right now I'm in a different place, A nd though we seem apart I'm closer than I ever was... I'm there inside your heart. I'm with you when you greet each day And while the sun shines bright I'm there to share the sunsets, too... I'm with you every night. I'm with you when the times are good Tb share a laugh or two, A nd i f a tear should start to fall... I'll still be there for you. A nd when that day arrives That we no longer are apart, I'll sm il 77 77 1 to me... Love is . . . More beautiful than roses, Much deeper than the seas; Stronger than a hurricane, But gentle as a breeze; Real as in a picture, But yet can't be seen; More beautiful than anything, As vivid as a dream; Being here always Mom Is what we would want you to do; But holding you in our hearts forever, Because your love is true . . . Camera Nicholes Douglas Johnson Arnold Johnson Vincent Banks Maurice Merriweather Theodore Peoples Calvin Merriweather Christopher Snapp Lucy Laney High School Class o f 1960 The Family o f Bennie Ruth Johnson acknowledges the innumerable acts o f kindness extended to us during our loved one's illness and inconsequent passing. Your prayers, thoughts and caring have further established a relationship that is heartwarming and fulfilling. For all this, we sim ply say thank you to Thankful Baptist Church o f Augusta, and all o f our wonderful family, neighbors and friends from near and across the miles. M ay God Bless each o f you. - Sincerely, Our Family North Augusta, South Carolina 803.279.0026 1942-2011 ^ilfter A uthor (Unknown I'd like the m em ory o f me To be a happy one, I'd like to leave an afterglow O f smiles when life is done. I'd like to leame an echo Whisperii ig sojilm ow n the i lays. O f happy times and laughing times .fin d bright and sunny days. I'd like the hears o f those w ho grieve, To dry before the sun O f happy memories That I leave when life is done. Professional Services Entrusted To: Q. . tBughthwip < Sam Moxtucvuj North Augusta. South Carolina