Funeral services for Mrs. Annie R. Johnson were held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at noon from Pine Level Baptist Church. Rev. Johnny Sanders serves as pastor. Rev. Rufus Johnson officiated. Burial followed in the churchyard cemetery. Hudson Funeral Services of Greenville, Ala., directed.

Mrs. Annie Ruth Johnson was born in Butler County on May 26, 1925 to the late Jessie Norris Sr. and Thelma (Morrison) Dimbo. She was the oldest of nine siblings. One preceded her in death Ernestine Dimbo of Detroit, Mich.

Annie Ruth was raised by her maternal grandmother, Luella Morrison. She was a positive influence in Annie Ruth‘s daily walk with Christ. At an early age she, along with her family, attended Poplar Springs Baptist Church. However, the nearly four-mile walk to church took a toll on their bodies and would eventually lead them to Pine Top Missionary Baptist Church. Annie Ruth remained a dedicated member until she moved her membership to Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church to be united in Holy

Matrimony to Rufus Johnson Sr. on Sept. 16, 1944. To this union six children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband after 54 years of marriage.

Annie Ruth served as a deaconess at the Pine Level Missionary Baptist Church as well as being a surrogate mother for the entire community. She loved family gatherings and was the matriarch of the family. She was an avid reader who loved poems and was often called upon to recite her poems at numerous church events. She was a gentle kind-hearted woman and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. She was known for her beautiful smile.

She leaves to cherish her memories six children, Catherine Brown, Annie Irene Atkins, Ruby Nell Simmons and Pastor Rufus (Betty) Johnson Jr., all of Greenville Ala., and Jacqueline Johnson and Cedric (Angelina) Johnson, both of Montgomery Ala.

Annie Ruth also leaves to cherish her memory seven siblings, Jessie (Doris) Norris Jr., James (Daisy) Peterson, Betty Peterson, Joann Davis, all of Dayton Ohio, Shelia Norris of Sacramento, Calif., and Loretta Norris and Cathy Norris, both of Greenville, Ala.; 11 grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren, one preceded her in death (Sgt. Lakeshia Mesha Bailey) and 13 great-great grandchildren, one preceded her in death (Tecori Bailey), and a host of nieces (one special niece preceded her in death, Brenda Dimbo Etheridge), nephews, relatives and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge one special Great Grandson, Demario Bailey, for being there during her latter days of illness.