Ruth May Davis

Not only was January 1, 1947, the first day of a brand new year, but it was also the first day when a healthy baby girl took her first breath at San Pedro Hospital in Southern California.
Estefana and Henry Billy Johnson rang in the new year welcoming Ruth Mae Johnson to their family.
After being introduced to his new baby sister, big brother Billy Roy nicknamed her Luly, and all of her subsequent sisters and brothers lovingly referred to her by that moniker.
Ruth attended Holy Family Elementary school, Saint Anthony High School, Banning High School, and Harbor College. Afterwards, she attended nursing school and ultimately became a registered nurse. She got experience working in hospitals and health care facilities before starting her 43 year career with the State of California, where she worked hard and was the only nurse evaluator 4 for many years. This was an achievement that she was so proud of, she put it on her license plate OnlyNE4.
Ruth was a voracious reader and enjoyed watching television and movies.
In fact, when her kids were young, they had a weekend tradition of breakfast at Denny’s after church and the rest of the day at the movie theater watching back to back movies. It was almost a guarantee that she’d already read the books prior to the movie being made and could tell you the parts they skipped.
Ruth demonstrated her talent for strategy back then because movie times were published in the newspaper. She had to figure out what time the previous movie would end, schedule potty breaks and time to buy more snacks and be on time to get the premium seats. She did this almost every weekend until everyone’s schedules diverged because of school activities or other weekend commitments.
Even when her kids became adults, they would get together as often as possible for breakfast and a movie.
She was also a sci-fi fan and considered herself a “Trekkie.” She loved everything Star Trek related and had her own Star Trek uniform shirt. She also collected comic books with her sons and she and her kids watched every movie, cartoon, and tv show pertaining to any and every comic book character they could find.
She introduced and shared her experiences of live theatre, musicals, belly dancing, festivals, cruises, and music concerts with any and all, and explored culture with her kids.
She immensely enjoyed spending time with her work friends and always looked forward to seeing them wherever and whenever she could.
Ruth taught her kids to never talk to strangers but would be the first person to speak to someone she’d never met before and within a short period of time they would become pen pals or lifelong buddies that she’d hope to run into again the next time she was in the area.
She supported all of her kids’ aspirations and endeavors. Michelle’s writing career, James’ bond with his children, and Jonathan’s poetry and music.
She loved attending comic con conventions where she met and had robust and meaningful conversations with many people, she admired from tv and movies. She never missed an opportunity to take a photo with Lou Ferrigno to the point that he would expect her and asked about her if he saw one of her kids.
She met and talked with Nichelle Nichols at what turned out to be Nichelle’s last visit to San Diego Comic con.
She attended every panel her daughter was on, she would sit on her “indoor/outdoor hot rod” outside of conventions and promote Michelle’s books and website by passing out pens, posters, and business cards.
She was a collector of everything under the sun. She’d always say, “This might be worth a lot of money someday.” as she filled boxes and stuffed drawers with her treasures.
She was a gift giver and a social butterfly. If you invited her, she would more than likely show up.
She was also a workaholic, who would schedule vacation and then go to work and put a sign on her door “I’m here on vacation. “She said that meant do not disturb.
She loved her job and work family as much as the rest of her endeared.
Ruth was the epitome of an eclectic Renaissance woman who will be missed by her children, grandchildren, surviving brothers and sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Michelle Marie Davis, sons James Alexander Davis II, and Jonathan Edward Davis, grandchildren Khalil Davis, and Khari Jhene Davis, her surviving brothers and sisters and their spouses Gloria Dillard, John Johnson and Barbara Fletcher-Johnson, Henry Johnson and Mary Reed-Johnson, Cynthia Lewis, and Jessica and Robert Murray, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Homegoing Service Information:
Viewing:
Date and Time: Thursday September 19,2024, from 4pm to 8pm PST.
Location: Green Hills Mortuary Chapel
Address: 27501 South Western Avenue
Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275
Chapel Service: 9am to 10am PST
Ruth has asked that there be no formal funeral service. The obituary will be read and then there will be time provided for loved ones and friends to share their fond memories of time with Ruth.
Burial Site Prayer and Final Farewell to Ruth: 10:15am PST
Prayer led by Henry Johnson
Ruth has requested that a memorial picnic or luncheon be held in her honor on the one-year anniversary of her homegoing in lieu of a repass.