Ruth Johnson Butler, 85, of Columbia, died Friday, July 4, 2014. Born Christmas Eve, 1928, in Rocky Mount, NC, she was a daughter of the late Roy Joseph Johnson and Pearl Smith Johnson. Ruth received her undergraduate degree from Atlantic Christian College, and her masters degree from the University of South Carolina. She taught language arts at Timmerman and Dent Middle School, retiring from Dent Middle School. Ruth was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and a participant in the SC Lutheran Via de Cristo. She loved spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Earl M. Butler; sons, The Rev. David J. Butler (Judy), The Rev. Roy M. Butler (Kim); daughter, Marshall B. Faulkenberry; grandchildren, Roy Faulkenberry (Ashley), Amanda Caudle (Will), Samantha Hollack (Jeff), Douglas Kilgour, Amy Butler, Alex Snider, and Mathis Butler. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn Jean Cowell.

A memorial service for Mrs. Butler will be held at 11 o'clock, Tuesday, July 8th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with The Rev. Paul Wollner officiating. The family will greet friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 10 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3909 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29204; American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Ln, Columbia, SC 29210; or to Palmetto Health Hospice, care of Palmetto Health Foundation, PO Box 602575, Charlotte, NC 28260-2575.