Elizabeth Ruth Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia passed away in her sleep while visiting Asheville, North Carolina on March 29, 2014. Elizabeth was 24 years old and had recently graduated from the University of Montevallo in December with her degree in fine arts. She had previously attended Morgan Academy in Selma and the Charleston School of Arts in Charleston, South Carolina, where she was born. She had an exceptional talent and her art is cherished by many and will always remain a gift to the world. She saw firsthand the great galleries of Rome, Geneva, London, New York, and Chicago where she viewed the art of the greats through her own beautiful artist eyes.

Her short time on earth was one in which so many people were blessed to know her. She always brought light and laughter into any room and joy to all who knew her. Elizabeth, a lover of music, art, film, travel, and people was indeed one of the most beautiful souls who ever graced this earth.

She is survived by many friends and loving family members. Her father is Dr. James Johnson of Atlanta; her mother is Peggy Fore Johnson of Selma; and her brothers are Allen Johnson and Adam Johnson. James Johnson Sr. of Selma and Edwin Fore of Atmore are her grandfathers, both of whom adored her deeply. Mary Bearden Johnson of Montgomery is her grandmother and her two nephews are James Allen Johnson IV and Joseph Mark Johnson, her two buddies. She has uncles and aunts: Marcus and Sally Johnson, Brenda Fore, Patricia Johnson, Paige and David Hodo, Michelle and Mike Bush; great uncles and aunts Furniss Johnson, Ellis Johnson, and Nancy Fore; two sisters-in-law, Amanda Johnson and Asal Johnson; and many cousins, uncles-in-law, granduncles and great-aunts; and her cat named Juniper. The number of friends from Charleston, Selma, Montevallo, and Atlanta are more than can be counted. She was indeed loved.

There is a poem and a Bible passage that has had great meaning since the day of her passing.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there, I did not die.”

Mary Frye, American poet (1904 – 2004)

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

To honor Elizabeth Johnson and to celebrate her life, there will be a memorial service on her birthday, June 19 at 6:00PM in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Montevallo, AL