Ruth was born to Curtis Parrish Sr. and Lena Laster Parrish on Tuesday, September 6, 1949, in Marshall, Texas.
She began her education in Marshall, Texas. At an early age, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas where she continued her education, graduating from I. M. Terrel High School.
Upon returning to Marshall, she joined Greenhill Baptist Church, Marshall, Texas.
Ruth discovered that helping others with physical limitations through acts of service would lead to a career as a healthcare provider within the healthcare industry. She continued this work until retirement.
Ruth’s family and friends knew her to be a great cook. Often after mealtimes, family and friends engaged in Ruth’s favorite pastime, Bingo.
She is preceded in death by her father, Curtis Parish, Sr. and her daughter, Kavette Johnson Alford.
To morn her death and celebrate her life is her loving husband of 48 years, Tom Curtis Johnson, Jr.; daughter, LaShonda Johnson; son, Tom Curtis Johnson, III; mother, Lena Laster Parish; brothers, Steve Parish, Kenneth Parish, Curtis Parish, Jr., Dennis Parish and Joseph Parish; sister, Yolanda Parish; grandson, Sigmund Turner, Jr., a host of other relatives and friends.