Ada Sue Johnston Obituary (1927

Ada Sue Johnston Born August 9, 1927 Died June 13, 2016 Ada Sue Johnston passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2016. Born on August 9, 1927, she was the loving, devoted daughter of Liza Jane and Cecil P. Ruff. Every day of her life, Ada Sue celebrated the joy of having an identical twin. She was profoundly saddened to lose her sister, Mary Lou (Ruff) Irvin, in 2014. The sisters never tired of the fun being identical twins allowed, and reveled in their unique, special bond. Quite the pair, there are many stories of their shenanigans. Even into their 80's, the 'Ruff Twins' continued to enjoy their ability to keep people guessing their identities. Ada Sue married Leslie Newkirk Johnston at the First Baptist Church in Tulsa on December 22, 1941. Until his death in November of 2015, they were blessed with 63 years of marriage. Their relationship stands as a testimony of what it means to be and to have a devoted, supportive, loving spouse, working together, looking in the same direction, always side by side. One key ingredient to their successful relationship was that Ada Sue, ever the master psychologist, let Leslie 'be the boss,' or at least he thought he was. One of the family's favorite stories that demonstrates this is when Leslie and Ada Sue were designing and building their home in the early 1960's. Leslie left much of the design and furnishing choices to Ada Sue; however, Leslie was opposed to the addition of a dishwasher in the kitchen. Ada Sue wanted a dishwasher more than anything -- so she quite simply said to him, 'Now, Leslie, about the dishwasher. We are either going to buy one or hire one.' Within a very short while a dishwasher was not only purchased but installed in the new kitchen! Ada Sue graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Business Administration. One niece thinks she must have also majored, or at least minored, in Psychology as well. The niece tells of many happy memories involving 'retail therapy' with Aunt Ada Sue. She loved to share her uncanny ability of securing 'adventure capital.' In other words, asking Leslie for financial assistance was directly proportional to the audience observing the transaction. Following her marriage to Leslie, Ada Sue worked diligently while helping Leslie complete his Veterinary degree and build his practice, all the while maintaining their home and starting a family. A loving and patient Mother, Ada Sue and Leslie had two children, Pamela Sue of the home, and Dr. Timothy L. Johnston of Cullowhee, North Carolina. She loved her grandchildren, Nicholas and Samantha Johnston of Ormond Beach, Florida. Ada Sue, along with Leslie, worked hard to provide a loving and nurturing family home. With a gentle heart and firm hand, she instilled in her children her love of God, her dedication to those in need, and her stamina when it came to work, whether in the home, Church or workplace. Leslie was from North Carolina, and Ada Sue was blessed to be warmly embraced by the entire Johnston family. On one trip to North Carolina, Mary Lou accompanied Leslie and Ada Sue. A young niece excitedly exclaimed, 'Mama, Mama, there are two Aunt Ada Sue's.' She was the beloved Aunt of Rick and Becky Irvin, Debbie and Thomas Stone, Dan and Darlene Irvin, and many nieces and nephews in North Carolina. Ada Sue joined the First Baptist Church when she was 14 years old. She lived her life as the testament of her faith. An accomplished hostess and seamstress, she especially enjoyed Saturday's when she was able to prepare cinnamon rolls or cookies for her Sunday School class. The wonderful love and support of members of the Agape Sunday School Class sustained her for many years, through happiness as well as sorrows. Not a day went by that Ada Sue did not talk appreciatively of the blessings she enjoyed throughout her lifetime. But, more importantly, Ada Sue's family and friends will forever remember her for her love of God, her life well lived, and her compassion for others. Daughter, sister, wife, mother grandmother, aunt, friend; Ada Sue was many things to many people. A remarkable and gracious lady, she possessed a positive and youthful attitude, and the tenacity of a terrier, her favorite breed of dog. Though somewhat small in stature, her quick wit, delightful laugh, boundless energy, resilience and upbeat spirit helped her stand tall throughout her life.