Ruth Anderson Johnston
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Ruth Anderson Johnston

  • April 7, 1924 - December 9, 2011
  • Columbia, South Carolina
Pause Scotland the Brave by Steve Gibb (BMI)
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Memories & Candles

“I am so sorry for your loss. Mothers are so very special! May God's peace be with you all. Barbara Roberts Reeves ”
1 of 6 | Posted by: Barbara Roberts Reeves - SC

“Ruth has always been such an inspiration to us. Her smile, joy of life, warmth, and love for her family and friends has always been so special. The...Read More » ”
2 of 6 | Posted by: Grace and Jimmy Johnston - NC

“Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Your mother was so sweet, I have many wonderful memories of her. ”
3 of 6 | Posted by: Ann Ketchin Cribb - Walterboro, SC

“I Love you KK, I will never forget you! ”
4 of 6 | Posted by: Kincaid Nexsen - Greenville, SC

“Clay, I am so saddened to hear of the passing of your mother. What a wonderful lady! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Pam ”
5 of 6 | Posted by: Pam Whitaker Dhamer - Lake Forest, IL

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends our deepest sympathies to the Johnston family. ”
6 of 6 | Posted by: Greg Dunbar - Columbia, SC


COLUMBIA - Ruth Anderson Johnston, 87, of Columbia, passed away at home on December 9, 2011. A worship service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, December 12, 2011 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends at the home of Pat and Clay Johnston on Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm and following the service in the church parlor.
Ruth, the daughter of the late James Macfie and Emma Ruth Kerr Anderson, was born April 7, 1924 in Columbia, SC. She graduated from Dreher High School, attended Hollins College and graduated from the University of South Carolina where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
She was married for 58 years to her high school sweetheart, the late Otis Clebourne Johnston, Jr. of Columbia.
Ruth was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for over 60 years where she was named an Honorary Life Member of Presbyterian Women. She also attended Banner Elk Presbyterian Church in Banner Elk, NC where she and her husband spent many wonderful summers.
She was a member of The Junior League of Columbia Inc., The Columbia Garden Club and The Driftwood Garden Club. She and her husband participated for many years in their Scottish heritage organizations, Clan Johnston/e in America and the MacDuffee Clan Society of America, Inc. of Clan Macfie.
Surviving are a son, Otis Clebourne "Clay" Johnston III (Patricia Gilbert); daughters, Elizabeth Kincaid "Beth" Johnston, Ruth Macfie "Mackey" Johnston, all of Columbia, Christine Johnston "Christy" Nexsen (Julian Jacobs Nexsen, Jr.) of Greenwood; six grandchildren, Rebecca Irick Gault (Corey), Charles Frederick Irick, Jr. (Laura), Christine Hollis Johnston, Julian Jacobs Nexsen III., Elizabeth Kincaid Nexsen, and Sarah Ivey Nexsen; two great-grandchildren, Christine Clebourne Gault, Samuel Corey Gault, Jr.; brother, James Macfie Anderson, Jr. of Jonesville, SC; sister, Mary Frances Wendt of Columbia.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Ruth's caregivers and special appreciation to Loretta Douglas for her longtime devotion to the family.
Memorials may be made to Harmony Care Hospice, 121 Hunter Village Drive, Suite H, Irmo, SC 29063, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204 or Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, PO Box 158, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.