Billie Ruth Johnson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Billie Ruth was born in Pagoda, Texas to Edith Irene and William David Johns on December 30,1931. She had one brother whom she loved. Billie Ruth married Reed Johnson in 1949. Her earliest job was as an Elevator operator for Red Air Freight. She then went onto work and retire from Western Auto. Billie Ruth proudly worked for and retired from Rogers & McNorton which later became Rogers & Phillips. She was blessed to work along side her husband Reed and best friend Linda Gentry there. Billie Ruth enjoyed traveling the world. In the early years she traveled with Reed where his jobs took him. Later in life she traveled the world with her Best friend Linda Gentry, they visited Switzerland, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Scotland, and Haiti as well as many other destinations. When she was not traveling with Linda she was cruising on Carnival Cruises with her Beloved cousin Rena Dale. She particularly enjoyed dressing up and participating in the Elegant Captain's Dinners on the cruises. Billie Ruth had a kind and giving spirit. She most enjoyed time with her family and friends. Every year she and her mother went to the family reunion in Grand Saline for a week of family, fellowship and food. After her retirement from Rogers & Phillips she moved from Houston to New Waverly, where she had a home built. In this home she was a fulltime caregiver for her mother Edith until she passed. Then she enjoyed her Great Grandchildren: Little Ben, James, and Katie as they grew up. She sparkled like the diamonds she was so proud of when she was with her family. She had a passion for animals, fostering strays and letting them live out their lives. In her early years she had a golden Labrador named Booger and a Mini Poodle named Pepi. Animals and Great Grandchildren could get away with things that kids and grandkids wouldn't have dared to do. For instance Booger bit Billie Ruth so badly that her hand required surgery to repair. Her daughter Paulette said "mother if Pam or I had bit you, you would have had us put down." We all laughed for years over this. When Ben and James were little they would play tug of war with a potted tree in the hall, she would laugh as the rest of us looked on in horror. Katie cut her tablecloth to make a doll outfit, to this day I sit in amazement my grandmother laughed and I know she would have killed me. One of her many passions was cars, she enjoyed fast and fine automobiles. In her early years she proudly owned a 1960 White Chevrolet that had glass pack pipes, she could proudly make those pipes ring with the best of them. The neighborhood kids always looked thinking it was a teenage boy. She proudly went onto own three Cadillacs, 2 of which she purchased brand new. Her signature color was red, her nails, toes and lips had to match. She always took pride in her appearance and made sure she was well kept. She did not leave home without her hair fixed, earrings in, and lipstick on, even in her later years. She loved talking, parties, mexican food, flowers and shopping. She especially loved Christmas and went out of her way to make it special for each family member. In her later years she loved looking out her back window from the kitchen table watching the birds, squirrels, dogs and deer in the pasture. To Sum my grandmother up best is to use Betty White's quote "Butterflies are like women, we may look pretty and delicate, but baby we can fly through a hurricane." Billie Ruth was truly a force to be reckoned with, She was one of a kind, and we treasure her dearly. To say she will be missed is a gross understatement. A visitation with the family will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in the Chapel on Tuesday August 9, 2022 from 5 pm to 7 pm. A service will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in the Chapel on Wednesday August 10, 2022 at 10 am with the burial following the service at Brookside Memorial Cemetery. Condolences for the family can be given at www.shmfh.com.

Billie Ruth Johnson

December 30, 1931 - August 2, 2022