Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson died in the early morning hours of May first, two thousand six at the Blu Fountain NursingHome, Godfrey, Illinois. It seemed significant for her to die on May first, May Day. This day has been celebrated around thecountry and around the world as the beginning of spring flowers, and the beauties of nature. It seemed an appropriatedayfor Ruth to pass on into eternity, for the love of flowers and the care of them was a great passion of her life.

The arrangements for the preparation of her body, (cremation) had been decided upon and arranged for in advance. The funeral home people were most kind and helpful. The family was in total agreement. The business arrangements were accomplished with a minimum of strain.

Ruth’s ashes were put into a beautiful urn, which was placed in a special vault for burial. Janet and I looked at the choices, and independently came to the same decision. The flowers painted on the urn could have been one of the paintings that Ruth made. She would have chosen the same one, we are certain.

The weather smiled on us, with a bright, sunny day. The plan for the internment was that she would be buried between her parents. This was possible, as they were in conventional full sized vaults, with enough cover that Ruth’s small casket could be placed between them.

The gathering consisted of members of the family from both the Thompson and Johnston heritage as well as our children and their children. It also included what the Africans would term members of our “extended family.” People who had been close to the family through the years, and were a part of it, although not by blood relations. Before the ceremony, Janet offered some of Ruth’s handkerchchiefs around, for people to use during the service, and keep and keep-sakes afterwards. These were ones that had her crocheting on and also ones students had given her through the years when students
did such things.

Patsy Dodds opened the service by singing, unaccompanied, one of Ruth’s favorite hymns, “In the Garden.” It was beautifully done. She has a good voice, and I have never heard her sound better.
I did the scripture reading, with my own interpretation of its relationship to our lives in the present day and as an inspiration for Ruth’s dedication to whatever goal she had set to achieve. (Text included separately)

We asked anyone in the gathering to share their memories of Ruth, and several did so. The texts were not captured by recording, but they will live in the hearts of everyone who heard them. Little, funny stories that everyone who knew her could relate to. The situation was relaxed and easy, without taking anything away from the sad facts of losing a loved one.
Janet read her poem, “Under Mama’s Yew Tree,” which was highlighting Ruth’s talent for collecting interesting rocks and flowers from all over the country. They were gathered together under a certain yew tree in our yard.(Text included separately)

The service was concluded with a prayer, written by Patty Thompson and offered by Gary.

From here, we all adjourned to Court and Pam Barker’s store in New Delhi, six miles south, to continue our visit with the other members of the group and enjoy the fine meal that had been prepared. The meal was a joint effort, but master minded by Cynthia, Grace’s daughter, who had been in the food preparation trade for many years and is the acclaimed family expert. I had taken all of the family picture albums, and many of the gathering enjoyed looking through them.

Altogether, we feel that Ruth would have approved of everything that was done. We feel that she was there.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5