Minnie “Ruth” Johnson Lail, born May 26, 1940, passed away at her home on February 3, 2020. She was 79 years of age. She was born in Louisburg, NC, the oldest of four children. She grew up in Henrico County and graduated from Highland Springs. She attended RPI where she met her late husband Ernie; they were married for 49 years. She was the daughter of Walter Johnson and Margaret Wester. She is survived by her younger sister, Marie; two brothers, Tommy and Harold, and her one and only child, “Sonny,” who loved and cared for her very much. She was the widow of Ernest H. Lail II.
Ruth loved traveling, both internationally and domestic, but her favorite being Hawaii. She had visited many times and often talked about going again one day. Almost as much as she loved to travel, she loved being outdoors beautifying her surroundings and yardwork, from planting, landscaping, gardening, or just enjoying the warm weather. Ruth was also a career-oriented person, only second to her family. She retired from Philip Morris as a benefits administrator after 27 years of service. Following her retirement from Philip Morris, she enjoyed a second career alongside her husband, Ernie, at Lail Millwork, where she served for a time there as the company’s president.
The family will receive friends at Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, on Monday, February 10 from 4-8 PM. A graveside service will take place on Tuesday, February 11 at 1 PM at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Road. As a way to honor his mother and her memory, her son “Sonny” would like to dedicate the following poem by Christina Rosetti:
What are heavy?
Sea- sand and sorrow…
What are brief?
Today and tomorrow…
What are frail?
Spring blossoms and youth…
What are deep?
The ocean and truth.
