Ruth Johnson Bush

Ruth Johnson Bush, a beautiful lady on the inside and out, went to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 15, 2023. She was with her daughter and completely at peace. Her courageous and faith-filled life will continue as an example for each of us to follow in the days ahead.

Ruth was born on February 17, 1928, in Simpson, Louisiana, to William Harvey Johnson, Sr. and Lela Beasley Johnson. She had an idyllic childhood growing up in Decatur, Mississippi, with many best friends and three older brothers, W.H. Johnson, John L. Johnson, and Charles Rufus Johnson. After graduation from high school, she attended Delta State Teachers College (now Delta State University) in Cleveland, Mississippi. While there, she was selected as a “Top 5 Campus Beauty.” She graduated with a B.A. in Education. Later, she obtained her Master of Education from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. In 1947 she married William Thomas Bush, the senior quarterback on the Delta State football team. They had one daughter, Patricia Jane Bush Heslop, whom she adored.

Ruth was a masterful teacher, and she loved teaching mostly third grade for 42 years. She was the teacher that every parent wanted for their child. She was also a fun teacher. For example, she dressed up as a Pilgrim each Thanksgiving for her students. She continued this tradition even after retirement and became known as the “Pilgrim Lady.”

In addition to being the epitome of a gracious and charming Southern lady, Ruth had many talents. She played the piano beautifully and had a lovely soprano voice. She was also renowned for her baking skills, particularly her scrumptious caramel cake and banana nut bread. Ruth was a “people person” and lit up any room that she entered with her beauty, smile, immaculate dress, and entertaining stories.

Ruth’s primary focus throughout her life was her family, whom she always put first and loved unconditionally. Her pride and joy were her two grandsons, Clay Heslop and Scott Heslop, and her two great granddaughters, Sydney Heslop and Brenna Heslop. How she loved being their “Gran”!

After forty-seven years of living in the same house in Jackson, Mississippi, Ruth moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 2009 to be close to her daughter and family. She enjoyed her new “extended family” at Galleria Woods Retirement Home. She made many new best friends there, including her “tribe.” In Birmingham, Ruth was an active member of South Highland Presbyterian Church.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Patricia Jane Bush Heslop (Bill), grandsons Clay Heslop (Ashley) and Scott Heslop, and great granddaughters Sydney Heslop and Brenna Heslop. Other surviving family includes sister-in-law Imogene Johnson, nieces Joy Johnson and Elizabeth Guisasola (Lloyd), nephews Jim Person (Lee) and Tom Person (Janet Kastner). Also surviving her is her beloved cousin Leila Lane (Sam) and their children Mary Mills Ritchie (Spencer), Samuel Lane, and Ben Lane (Walton).

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held June 1, 2023, at 2:00 PM with visitation after the service at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, 3405 Brookwood Rd, in Mountain Brook, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial offerings be sent to either Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, 3405 Brookwood Rd, Mountain Brook, Alabama, 35223 or to South Highland Presbyterian Church, 2035 Highland Avenue S., Birmingham, Alabama 35205.