Elder Ruby Mae Johnson McLaughlin Thompson
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Ruby Johnson was born June 2, 1939 in Danville, Virginia to the late Reverend Robert T. and Viola Lemon Johnson who preceded her in death. She transitioned from this earthly life to eternal life on Friday, September 1, 2023.

In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her four brothers: Tom, Joe, June and William; four sisters: Henrietta, Dorothy, Annie, Rosetta; one son-in-law, Elder Charlie C. Tucker; brother-in-law, Charlie Miller and sister-in-law, Carolyn McLaughlin.

Ruby graduated from Booker T. Washington in Reidsville, North Carolina at 16 years of age. She attended the United Christian Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina where she received several certificates.

Ruby, being a woman of sound wisdom, gave her heart to God at an early age and was baptized at 10 years of age at Evening Light Holiness Church.

In the year 1960 she married Elder James E. McLaughlin and to this union 5 children were born. Understanding the work God had given them, through faith and prayer, together they founded Green Pastures United Holy Church in 1964 in South Boston, Virgina. Continuing the work of spreading the gospel, they also pastored Guiding Star United Holy Church in Drewry, North Carolina. In 1973, Elder James E. McLaughlin went home to be with the Lord.

In 1975, she married Elder Leonard D. Thompson. They faithfully continued the work, renaming the church McLaughlin Memorial UHC. Ruby was blessed to hold several offices: she was the Junior Missionary President, then the Missionary President of McLaughlin Memorial and the Western North Carolina District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. Her ministry works brought many souls to Christ and nurtured many in the Faith, and her ministry works attributed to her being affectionately known as "Ma Ruby".

Those left to cherish her precious memories are her husband, Elder Leonard D. Thompson; two sons, Elder Jeffrey (Shelby) McLaughlin, Sr. of Greensboro, NC, Jonathan (Connie) McLaughlin, Sr. of Greenville, SC; three daughters: Minister Allison (Andrew) Garnett of Augusta, GA, Karen Tucker of Danville, VA and Amy McLaughlin of Augusta, GA; two sisters, Ada J. Williams (Robert Earl), Barbara J. Miller both of Reidsville, NC; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Johnson of Reidsville, NC, Shirley (Israel) Morris, Wanda Tucker and Valinda (Damian) Chaney; brothers-in-law: Arthur Kemp of Raeford, NC, Dwight (Felecia) Tucker; mother-in-law, Antinetta Martin; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The service of Triumphant Celebration will be conducted 11:00 AM Friday, September 8, 2023 at Mt. Sinai Glorious Church of God with public viewing at 10:00 AM prior to the hour of service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. A public viewing will held for "Ma Ruby" on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM at D. L. McLaughlin Funeral Home, Danville, Virginia.

Floral arrangements should be ordered from local florist in Danville, Virginia and sent to D.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home beginning on Thursday.