Ruth M. Johnson (Kyttle) of Concord, N.C.Ruth M. Johnson (Kyttle), 81, Concord, N.C., formerly of Vestal, N.Y., was lovingly welcomed into the kingdom of her Lord and Savior on December 11, 2006 after a courageous battle with emphysema and lung cancer. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Howard J. Johnson; her father and mother, Milton W. and Lily M. Kyttle; her sister, Wanda Philips and brother-in-law, John; her baby brother, Roland Kyttle and sister-in-law, Sylvia; nephew, John Philips; and nieces, Donna Philips and Holly Mariani. She is survived by her daughter, Audrey M. Barvinchak and husband, Thomas Sr., Vestal, N.Y.; sons, Terry H. Johnson, Concord N.C., William H. Johnson and wife, Terrie, Concord, N.C., Brian K. Johnson and wife, Darlene, Lancaster, S.C.; grandchildren, Amy Rehn, Tonya Wagstaff, and Tom and David Barvinchak, Nicole and Terry Johnson Jr., Brittany Nix, Dustin, Courtney, and Zachary Johnson, Brandi Johnson and Gregory Turnmire; and 17 great-grandchildren. Ruth was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and later resided in Chester, Pa., where she graduated from Nether Providence High School in 1943. She was a woman of great imagination, insight, and many talents, who tackled and mastered many interests. She taught herself to play piano, handpainted china, was an accomplished seamstress, craftsperson, furniture refinisher/upholsterer/caner, antiques dealer/appraiser, and even dabbled in home remodeling (much to the chagrin of her husband). She was past President of the Vestal Center United Methodist Church Women's Association, and past Chairman of Vestal's Front Street Days' committee. She owned and operated her own antiques shop for several years in Vestal, N.Y., and was a realtor with Ward Galaxy of Homes, in Vestal, N.Y. Moving to Concord, N.C. with her husband in 1979, she devoted herself to helping her three sons establish homes there and helping them raise their children. Most recently she worked for the Cracker Barrel in Concord, where she delighted in the interaction with her co-workers and customers. She was a member of the New Life Church of Jesus Christ in Concord. She will forever be remembered as a woman of great Christian faith, charity, and love, for whom nurturing her family was her joy in life, and making friends and lending a helping hand to others was her passion.The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the New Life Church of Jesus Christ, 4170 Zion Church Road, Concord, N.C., with a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cabarrus County Hospice, 5003 Boy Scout Camp Rd., Kannapolis, N.C. 28081, whose many Angels helped Ruth make the peaceful transition to her spiritual life. Condolences may be registered online at www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is serving the family.