Anna M. (Ann) Johnson Ruble, 88, of Sophia answered God’s call on March 6, 2024 following a short illness. It was time for his child to come home.
She was born June 25, 1935 in Leevale, WV to Ernest and Lorena Williams Johnson.
Ann is survived by her daughters Deborah A. Cole (Gary) of Morgantown and Patty R. Mertz (Michael) of Beckley. Other survivors include her brother JL Johnson, grandson Patrick Cole, great-grandsons Nathan Cole, Zachery Sidwell, her great-granddaughter Kelly Sidwell Shingle, and great-great grandson, Edward Cole Shingle.
Ann is preceded in death by her husband Rev. O.W. “Pat” Ruble and her granddaughter Deborah “Dee Dee” Cole. Mrs. Ruble is also preceded in death by brothers and sisters; Douglas Johnson, Edgar Johnson, Jackie Johnson, Marcella Headley, Opal Smith, Betty Ehman and Dreama Chapman. They were extraordinarily close and loving siblings and they made sure all the cousins continued that love and closeness as a family.
Ann grew up in Coal City, was a 1953 graduate of Stoco High School and kept in touch with friends by participating in the Coal City Reunions. Ann lived her adult life in Sophia and was a current resident of Bayberry Retirement Inn in Beckley.
Ann’s faith was an essential part of her life. Being a director of Christmas plays at Sophia Freewill Baptist Church led her to being a published playwright that won awards. She organized Women’s Auxiliaries in the county and state and served as various officers of the organization. In addition, she organized and published church cookbooks for Ladies Auxiliaries. Ann, and her husband Pat, published the WV Freewill Baptist newspaper for many years.
Mostly, she loved singing and had a beautiful alto voice. She sang in church choirs and she and her husband Pat were part of the Rhythms Masters Quartet. When she was younger, she was called to substitute as an alto for professional gospel quartets.
Ann loved her daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. Her nieces and nephews were like her children and she loved them dearly. She was very proud of all of them.
Ann enjoyed the churches her husband pastored including Arnett Chapel, Kilsyth Freewill Baptist Church and Open Door Church in Shady Spring. People of these churches always had a special place in her heart.
After her career as a pastor’s wife and sidekick, she became employed with West Virginia University Extension EFNEP Program where she served as developer and director of Day Camps, Weekly Camps and Youth Groups. She loved working with the children.
Ann enjoyed her free time at the mountain cabin she and her husband built, cross-country skiing, reading, and her favorite hobby – travelling with her husband on their Honda motorcycle until his passing.
Service will be Friday, March 15, 2024 at Sophia Freewill Baptist Church at 1:00 pm in Sophia. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity, WV where she will be laid to rest with her husband.
Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers and music will be provided by her niece and nephews, Diana and John Jager and Bill Ehman.
Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net.
Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.