Deloris Ruth Johnson

Obituary
Deloris Ruth Johnson peacefully made her transition to glory on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Spartanburg (SC) Regional Hospital after over a year of medical challenges. Deloris, born in Union, SC on December 18, 1952, was the youngest of three daughters born to Ruth Fridie Johnson and Raymond James Johnson.
Deloris graduated from Union High School in 1971 as class co-president and
one of the first students of color to integrate the school. She then enrolled
in South Carolina State University, graduating in 1975 with a BS in Speech
and Hearing Pathology. Always interested in improving the plight of others, she
recognized she could do more with greater knowledge. Subsequently, she enrolled in the University of Illinois-Champaign to earn a Master's Degree. After teaching in the Greenville (SC) school system, Deloris entered a Doctoral program at Pennsylvania State University. Becoming less enamored with the cold weather, she transferred to Florida State University. Though she completed the coursework she did not receive her doctorate degree. She worked in Tallahassee, Florida as a Speech and Hearing Therapist before moving to Macon, Georgia. She worked with military veterans in Macon before departing for Atlanta to open her own consulting firm. By all accounts her practice thrived in Atlanta.
Ruth experienced a medical setback in the early 2000s that made it difficult to live alone. Rather than moving her mother into a nursing facility, Deloris decided to close her Atlanta practice and return to Union. Deloris worked for Union County and, later, at Ellen Sagar Nursing home as a speech therapist before retirement.
Having been a member of Union’s Corinth Baptist Church since early childhood, Deloris became enthusiastically reunited with the church and its programs. She sang in the choir and played piano each Sunday while supporting many outside endeavors, including the Relay for Life. After Ruth passed, Deloris stayed in Union rather than return to Atlanta maintaining and strengthening ties that existed since birth.
Deloris was a strong advocate for nurturing family ties, also. She would always work with the Fridie Family Reunions, particularly when they occurred in South Carolina. She loved her family, especially her son, Montravius. Her infectious smile was ever- present when the family gathered at weddings, graduations, reunions, etc.
Deloris is survived by her son, Montravius; two sisters, Modestine (LeRoy) and Mary Odessa; nephews, Marc and Scott; niece, Terese (John); great-nieces, Taya, Nyla and Sloane; great-nephews, John and Donovan; aunts, Elease Brunson and Carol Reyes; uncles, James Fridie (Janie) and Alvin Fridie (Annette); and a host of other relatives and friends.
Deloris worked hard, had a great sense of humor and enjoyed life immensely!

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