Ruth Johnson Masters
Ruth Johnson Masters passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Danville Sovah Health. Ruth was born on April 20, 1934, in Henry County to the late Samuel W. and Amy Lovell Johnson. She lived a full and meaningful ninety-one years.
We find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her husband of 63 years, James K. Masters. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Elton Johnson and his wife, Ann, Curtis Johnson, and Frank "Gene" Johnson; and her five sisters, Marie Gardner and husband, Terrell, Geneva Turner and husband, Archie, Texas Padgett and husband, Clarence, Estelle Davis and husband, David “Doc”, and Bertha Burge and 1st husband, Bill Stone, and 2nd husband, Floyd Burge. She also joins her step-granddaughter Shannon Horton in rest.
Ruth leaves behind a loving family who will miss her dearly, including her son, Jeff Masters, and his wife, Rhonda, of Martinsville; her sister, Inell Fox, of Collinsville; and her sisters-in-law, Sandy Johnson and Barbara Johnson. She is also survived by her step-great-grandson, Matthew Hines.
Many knew Ruth from her years working with the Henry County School System, from which she eventually retired. She was a dedicated member of Fort Trial Christian Church and had a wonderful spirit. Outside of work and church, she enjoyed bowling and was an avid reader who especially loved settling down with a good novel by Danielle Steele.
We will be gathering to celebrate her life and say our goodbyes on Saturday, December 6th, at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home located at 30 Riverside Drive in Bassett, Virginia. The family will receive friends for visitation starting at 11:00 a.m., and the funeral service will follow immediately at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Henry Memorial Park, 8443 Virginia Ave, Bassett, VA 24055. We are grateful to have Harold Bell, Stacey Conner, Jimmy Gardner, Brian Johnson, Wesley Johnson, Jimmy Mullins, Mike Padgett, and James Wynn serving as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations in Ruth’s honor to Fort Trial Christian Church at 6356 Virginia Avenue, Bassett, VA 24055.
