Ruth A Tolbert

Ruth Ann Johnson Tolbert was born on December 28, 1938 in Louisville, Kentucky. To the proud late parents, Dewey Johnson and Bessie Catherine Lewis Johnson. To this blessed union six children were born, Ruth Ann being the fifth. She started her educational journey at Western Elementary School, James Bond Elementary School, Madison Junior High School, and Central High School. All of which were in Louisville, Kentucky. Ruth Ann loved school and was a bright student throughout. In Junior High she helped out in the cafeteria and played sports like basketball, touch football, and tennis. As a student she worked in the office and was trained as a clerical assistant and switchboard operator. Typing, diction and shorthand were her strong suits. She graduated from high school in 1956. Thereafter she began to attend St. Helena Business School, also in Louisville, for bookkeeping studies and completed her course work. Ruth professed a hope in Christ at the age of 5. She was baptized at the family’s church home at Mt. Lebanon Bapt. Church. Ruth Ann sang in the junior/ senior choirs until 1957. Ruth Ann became a single young mother in 1958 moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. She gave birth to a beautiful daughter named Kim Johnson, regretfully she passed away due to a congenital illness in 1960 at the age of 2 years and 4 months, an extremely short life. Kim was loved dearly by her mother. Ruth A. Johnson continued her musical career with her uncle, Rev. O.B. Johnson’s weekly radio program, sponsored by the prominent Jacob Bros. Funeral Home in Indianapolis, Indiana at the time. She joined First Samuel Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. W.m. Smith. Ruth directed the church’s mass the junior choirs that hosted a radio program every Sunday night and she helped start the 1st Samuel Ensemble Group. Ruth Ann authored a book entitled “Bible Stories, Words, and Songs”. She became employed for several years at General Hospital as a ward secretary. She later moved to Los Angeles, California in 1961. She became employed by Andy Griffin the T.V. personality and his wife Barbara as a full time lived-in nanny for their two children. Later she became employed at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Ruth Ann Johnson met Mr. James L. Tolbert and joined in holy matrimony and they remained together for several years. There were no children as a result of this union. After which Mrs. Tolbert returned back to Indianapolis and remained permanently. Her employment history continued at Robert Long Hospital as a ward clerk and several other departments. She started a new career in Library Systems for the State of Indiana; Central Indiana Library Services, INCOLSA Library Services, and Interlibrary (books) loans and retiring in 2010. She received many awards and promotions throughout her continuous work history. Continuum of her church and musical services to various congregations includes: First Samuel Baptist, Mr. Olive, Mt. Pisgah, Canaan Baptist Churches. Lastly she united with Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church, Rev. Johnny Ray Douglas, Pastor and she became the choir director and pianist in 2004. Quoted by Sister Tolbert: “She loved her pastor and the entire congregation immensely. She was a dutiful servant of the church until failing health in 2021 after an accidental fall.” Her favorite color was blue. She had a great fondness of automobiles, especially Buicks, for decades. Ruth Ann loved to hit the road anytime. She traveled across many states over the years. Sister Tolbert was quite a great cook just like her mother Sister Bessie Johnson. Her favorite dishes to prepare were prime rib, catfish, chicken wings, mac & cheese, greens, but truly not limited to. She could offer a banquet easily and display gracious hospitality. She always enjoyed having a good time with family and friends. She enjoyed all sports, especially the playoffs. Ruth Ann appreciated all types of music. Two of her favorite songs were “Oh Lord Don’t Move the Mountain” and “The Lord will Make Away”. Ruth Ann Johnson Tolbert, 84, departed this life Friday, May 26, 2023 in her sleep at American Village Nursing Home, Indianapolis, Indiana at 3:00 p.m. Ruth Ann is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Louis “Pete” Johnson, George “Corky” Johnson, Clifford Lee “Buddy” Johnson, Mamie “Baby Sis” Johnson Williams, Dorothy Johnson Morris. “In which she sincerely and dearly loved.” Sister Ruth Ann Johnson Tolbert’s legacy is preserved and cherished by her surviving and loving family and friends. Best friend and sister in Christ Theora Moffett, Steven (Margie) Poole, Latina (Eric) Watts, all nieces, and nephews of her departed siblings. Moffett, Seth, Clark families as well as the Johnson family of Indianapolis and her many friends. (Quoted by Ruth Ann) “Thank you for being a part of my life. God Bless you”....Sincerely Sister Tolbert A visitation for Ruth will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Tolbert family.