Mrs. Ruthie M. Johnson

Mrs. Ruthie Mumphery Johnson of Union City, Georgia, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the City of Hope Hospice in Newnan, Georgia.

The funeral service will be Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Ruthie Mumphery Johnson was born on August 27, 1952, in Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia, to the late Deacon John Lee Mumphery and the late Mrs. Annie Pearl Mumphery.

At an early age, Ruthie accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at Crossroad Missionary Baptist Church, where she served and worshiped with her family. She later joined Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Queens, New York, and upon her relocation back to Georgia, she again attended Crossroad Missionary Baptist Church, where her family continues to worship.

Ruthie was educated in the public school system of Crisp County, where she attended A. S. Clark High School. She was a member of the last senior class to graduate in May 1970. Ruthie moved to Queens, New York, to join her sisters and was hired by New York Telephone, later known as Verizon. While in New York, Ruthie took up photography as a hobby and became known among her family and friends as the one who always captured life's special moments. She later pursued photography courses at Queensborough Community College. Upon her retirement from Verizon in 2001, Ruthie relocated to Georgia to be closer to her parents, family, and childhood friends.

After returning to Cordele in 2001, Ruthie reconnected with Paul Johnson. What began as a friendship grew naturally as they spent time together enjoying some of life's simple pleasures – good music, dancing, and laughter. Their bond continued to deepen, and on July 29, 2005, Ruthie and Paul were united in marriage, starting a beautiful journey together.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Ruthie was called home to be with her Lord and Savior following a severe illness at City of Hope Hospice in Newnan, Georgia. Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, Deacon John Lee Mumphery and Sister Annie Pearl Mumphery; her beloved twin brother, Mr. Rufus Mumphery; her brothers, Mr. Willie B. Brown and Mr. Early Lee Mumphery; and her sister, Ms. Margaret Ann Mumphery.

Ruthie leaves to cherish her memory her devoted and loving husband, Paul Johnson; her chosen daughters, Frinchiss Dennard and Cheron Crouch; her nephew, whom she loved as a son, Michael Mumphery; and her stepsons, Larosstin Johnson and Marquis Johnson. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren, Tayedel, Chelsea, Jayden, and Stacy; and her great-grandchildren, Kaysen and Carmen.

She is also survived by her brothers, Deacon Edward Lee (Ethell) Mumphery, Deacon Rodger Mumphery of Cordele, Georgia, and Deacon Lorenzo (Sherran) Mumphery; her sisters, Mrs. Mattie P. Brown of Cordele, Georgia, and Mrs. Bernice (Verdry) Harris of Snellville, Georgia; her brother-in-law, Mr. Holly Johnson; her sister-in-law, Ms. Evelyn Johnson, both of Cordele, Georgia, her sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen McClendon of Battlecreek, Michigan; and her uncles, Sammy (Fannie) Mumphery of Cordele, Georgia, and George Stewart of Miami, Florida.

Ruthie also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, coworkers, dear friends, and all those whom she welcomed into her circle of loved ones. She touched many lives through her straightforward spirit, kindness, and generosity, leaving behind memories that will be treasured for years to come.

One of her favorite sayings was, "To God Be the Glory," and it is with grateful hearts that we give God the glory for the blessing of her life and for the many years He allowed us to share with her. We are comforted in knowing to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord.