Obituary of Ruth I. Beecher

Ruth Johnson Beecher On October 1, 2009, Ruth Beecher became "absent from the body and present with the Lord." Her radiant smile and beautiful piano artistry will make the courts of heaven ring as they once did in churches she served across the nation. Ruth was born to Victor Johnson and Edith Quayle Johnson on May 3, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois. Victor, a Swedish immigrant, and Edith, an immigrant from the Isle of Mann, both arrived at Ellis Island on the same day but on different ships. They met and married in Chicago. In 1933 Ruth graduated from the Mendelsohn Conservatory of Music in Chicago with a piano performance major. At thirteen, she was the youngest student to enter Mendelsohn. She taught piano and organ for many years and had a long career as a church musician in ten different states. She married David Roderick Beecher from Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1933. After graduating from Seminary in Chicago, David had a long career as a minister in several states, and served as an Army Chaplain in WW II. His work required Ruth to make many moves across the country. Ruth's magnetic personality and quick wit were influential with all who met her and she was loved and admired. Humor and music warmed the atmosphere in all of her husband's ministries, but it was her devil's food cake that really sweetened things. Ruth is survived by her daughters Marcella Shaw of Vancouver, WA and Ruth Williams of Liberty, MO, and her daughter in law, Vivian Flouhouse of Charlotte, N.C.; her seven grandchildren, and eighteen great grand children. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lt.Col. David R. Beecher, her son David, and two grandsons, Darren and Andrew Beecher, her parents, and her sister, Edith Marshall. Since Ruth's family was scattered across the states, she learned to make friends quickly and to love her friends like family. The people at Battleground Baptist Church made Ruth's final life journey joyful. Ruth will be buried in Augusta, GA beside her husband of fifty years. A memorial service for Ruth will be held at Battle Ground Baptist Church on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.