6539877184.jpg &&& Ruth Johnson came from a small town in North Carolina to find work during World War II, wound up marrying an Army man, living in Germany, and later became a star saleswoman for the beauty products company, Avon. She died last Monday at the age of 88. She lived in West Philadelphia. Ruth was born to the Rev. Argenia Hawkins, a minister and teacher, and Semora Hawkins. She was the sixth of 16 children. She moved first to Jericho, N.J., then to Philadelphia in 1942, where she became a shipfitter at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Her sister, Marjorie, who came with her, was a welder. Ruth married Ernest J. Johnson, a career Army man. He was assigned to Germany, where he was in charge of German prisoners. Because of the stress of that job, he became ill and returned to the States. He died in 1956 of a condition that the Army ruled was a direct result of his war service. He was a staff sergeant. Ruth went to work for Avon products and advanced to a managerial position. She was with the company for 28 years and won citations as a top saleswoman. She then worked for Strawbridge & Clothier until her retirement in 1992. Ruth, who had no children of her own, set about spoiling her nieces and nephews. She was the one who staged birthday parties for everybody, and she was famous in the family for her pound cakes. In her retirement, she became active with Star Harbor, a senior citizens club in West Philadelphia, where she organized a pinochle club. She also enjoyed the Atlantic City casinos. Ruth liked to drive and bought herself a new Chevrolet every three years, paying cash. She was an active member of Vine Memorial Baptist Church. "She was the most giving, most loving person you would ever meet in your life," said her sister, Marjorie Pyles. "She would take people into her home, give people money who needed it. She once had a whole family living with her until they got back on their feet." Besides her sister Marjorie, she is survived by four other sisters, Marcia and Mary Hawkins, Charity Singleton and Dora Funches, and four brothers, Argenia, James, Carol and Martin Hawkins. Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Vine Memorial Baptist Church, 5600 W. Girard Ave. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Beverly, N.J. *