Ruth Johnston

Ruth Johnston, 87 died at home February 25, 2015. The daughter of Ernest and Hazel Prine Collins, she was born in Crewsville, Florida on November 30, 1927. Ruth was a fourth generation Floridian whose family settled in the Florida Territory in 1836, nine years before Florida became the 27th state. Her great-great Grandfather fought in the Seminole Indian Wars and was among the first permanent residents of Polk County.

After attending High School in Wauchula, she fell in love and married Louie Johnston, a career military man. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1959 they moved to Frostproof with their three children.

Known for her love of flowers, long time physician and avid rose grower, Kenneth Dunham convinced Ruth to become his floral designer. Many patients enjoyed the bounty of beautiful roses at his office.

Later, Ruth also did floral arrangements for Four Seasons Florist in Frostproof.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Louie Johnston, who passed away three months ago, son David Johnston and two grandchildren, Jason Plair and Julie Marie Johnston, her parents, Ernest and Hazel Collins, Brothers Warren and Lynn Collins, and Sisters Helen Milton and Ernestine Leavitt.

Survivors are Sister Lottie (Babe) Tindell of Okeechobee, daughters Beverly (Bob) Malmquist of Frostproof and Debra (Larry) Plair of Rossville, Georgia, nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof, Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 AM.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice.