Sally Ruark Johnston

Mrs. Sally Ruark Johnston, 70 of Griffin passed away July 23, 2009 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Johnston was born August 2, 1938 in Bibb County, daughter of the late William Howell Ruark and the late Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Virden Ruark. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Griffin. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, James Franklin Johnston; daughter and son-in-law, Beth Johnston Horne and David Horne of Griffin; daughter, Mary Carol Johnston of Inverness, Florida; granddaughter, Margaret Elizabeth (Maggie) Horne of Griffin; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Cynthia Ruark of Lexington, Virginia; and a special cousin, Evelyn Helmly of Rincon, GA; also, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Johnston attended and graduated from A. L. Miller School for Girls in Macon, Georgia. After graduation, she attended Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro, Georgia and graduated with a degree in Home Economics, where she met her husband, James. They married in 1961 in Forsyth, Georgia where James was teaching at Mary Persons High School. They moved to Griffin in 1962 and Sally worked in the Spalding County Extension Office. After taking several years off with the birth of her girls, she went to work at Griffin Tech and worked there until her retirement in 1996. After retirement, she began her volunteer work in Griffin-Spalding County and around the state of Georgia. She was involved with the Georgia Retired Educators Association, AARP, AAPR Tax Aide Coordinator, Board of Directors for the Griffin Area Concert Association, Chairman of the Council of Aging, Ruth Sunday School teacher at her church, sang in the Saints Alive Choir. Sally was known for her love of cooking and had “Catering by Sally”. In 2008, she was presented the AARP Andrus Award for outstanding community and volunteer services in the state of Georgia. She was the first female presented this award by the Georgia AARP. Earlier this year, she and James were the recipients of the 2009 Bain Proctor Award for Volunteerism. This was the first time the award had been given to two people. Funeral services for Mrs. Sally Ruark Johnston will be Monday, July 27, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Griffin. Dr. Bill Hardee and Reverend Hambric Brooks will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Family Life Building. The Ruth Sunday School Class is asked to please sit in a group at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Television Ministry, P.O. Box 908, Griffin GA 30224 or Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 842, Griffin GA 30224 in memory of Mrs. Johnston.

Sally Ruark Johnston

August 2, 1938 - July 23, 2009