Ruth LaFaye Florea
I could never choose — so I tried to do it all.
I never was a star — but I sure did have a ball!"
Obituary
Ruth LaFaye Florea left this world on April 19, 2024, at the age of 94 years, 9 months, and 29 days. Born on June 21, 1929, Ruth was a supportive wife and companion to each of her four husbands, as well as an exceptional role model for all who knew her—especially her three children, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Those who crossed paths with Ruth will remember her for her stunning physical beauty, but those who knew her best will, above all, remember her for her perpetual optimism and compassion—always accepting or approving, never demanding or demeaning.
Generous to a fault, she found personal gratification in lending a helping hand to anyone in need, whether immediate kin or animal kindred, long-time friend or random stranger.
Ruth had an insatiable desire to more fully undertand the mysteries of this earth, and was passionate about using her musical, poetic, and intellectual talents to bring elegance, community, and peace into the lives of everyone she met.
Ruth's memory will long live on in the hearts of all who called her friend. May she continue her journey, knowing that the legacy of love, curiosity, and creativity she left behind in this world will continue to inspire all who knew her here.
Timeline
1929
June 21st
Birth
Ruth LaFaye was the fifth child of minister Edgar & schooteacher Augusta Johnson
Magdalena, NM
1946
September
Education
Faye began a degree in Home Economics at Texan Wesleyan College
Fort Worth, TX
1947
December 20th
Marriage
Faye married fellow TWC student JBond Johnson, the eventual father of her children
Mart, TX
1948
September 14th
Motherhood
Faye gave birth to only son Jerold Bond at the age of nineteen
Fort Worth, TX
1950
August 26th
Motherhood
Faye gave birth to her eldest daughter Janith Elaine at the age of twenty-one
Waxahachie, TX
1951
August 18th
Motherhood
Faye gave birth to her youngest daughter Joyce Evelyn at the age of twenty-two
Waxahachie, TX
1952
Life Change
The family of five left Texas behind and moved to Southern California after a short stint in Virginia
El Toro, CA
1957
December 26th
Life Change
Faye was badly injured in an automobile collision while visiting family in Texas
Hwy 31, TX
1958
Career
After healing from her scars, Faye became Ruth, working as a showroom/tearoom fashion model
Los Angeles, CA
1963
Career
Played Clementina in the LB Civic Light Opera production of 'The Desert Song'
Long Beach, CA
1965
Career
Appeared as a high-fashion model in the MGM movie 'Made In Paris'
Hollywood, CA
1970
Career
Starred as Lizzie in the LB Civic Light Opera production of '110 in the Shade'
Long Beach, CA
1971
Career
Appeared in a ten-city tour of stage play 'The Apple of His Eye' with Buddy Ebsen
Midwest, USA
1973
Career
Played Elsa in 'The Sound of Music' at the Union Plaza Hotel
Las Vegas, NV
1974
Career
Played Tina in the Lester/Traynor action/crime film 'Truck Stop Women'
Hollywood, CA
1976
September 8th
Grandmotherhood
Ruth became a grandmother with the birth of Jennifer Joyce Shull, and was dubbed Nuthermom
Long Beach, CA
1977
January 29th
Career
Ruth, participating in the pageant as Mrs California, was crowned 'Mrs America'
Las Vegas, NV
1978
Career
Played Policewoman in the Jordan/Lyons scifi thriller 'The Astral Factor'
Hollywood, CA
1986
June 6th
Grandmotherhood
Nuthermom welcomed her second granchild Aaron Steven Jackson
Long Beach, CA
1987
September 26th
Marriage
Ruth married John Florea, becoming a wife for a second time
Kona, HI
2001
December 30th
Marriage
Ruth married Mel Shavelson, becoming a wife for a third time
Studio City, CA
2009
July 21st
Great Grandmotherhood
Nuthermom became 'great-nuthermom' with the birth of Logan Kenneth DeSousa
Lyndhurst, NJ
2012
July 4th
Great Grandmotherhood
Nuthermom became 'great-nuthermom' once again with the birth of Sawyer Manuel DeSousa
Long Beach, CA
2015
October 3rd
Marriage
Ruth married Tom Clark, becoming a wife for a fourth time
Long Beach, CA
2024
April 19th
Death
Ruth bid this world adieu, to continue her exploration of the greater universe
Redlands, CA
Gallery
Family tree
Fate Johnson
Josie Bentley
John Burton
Mollie Hudgins
Edgar Johnson
Augusta Burton
J Bond Johnson
Helen Collins
EH Johnson, Jr
Janith Johnson
Jerry Johnson
Joyce Jackson-Coomber
Josie Burleson
Nita Johnson
Jean Causey
John Florea
Mel Shavelson
Tom Clark
Helen Collins
EH Johnson, Jr
Josie Burleson
Nita Johnson
Jean Causey
J Bond Johnson
John Florea
Mel Shavelson
Tom Clark
Janith Johnson
Jerry Johnson
Joyce Jackson-Coomber
Ruth Florea
Passions
How did music fit into Ruth's life?
She enjoyed singing many classic arias—especially those from La Traviata & La Boheme—but just for us, at home, accompanied by herself on her piano.
During her years as a preacher's wife, she took pleasure in singing soprano in the church choirs, and she was always thrilled to be included in special programs such as performances of 'Handel's Messiah' at Christmastime.
She delighted in performing in stage musicals such as 'The Sound of Music', '110 in the Shade', and 'The Desert Song'. And she knew, by heart, numerous compositions by Rogers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, George Gershwin, and Steven Sondheim.
During her years as a preacher's wife, she took pleasure in singing soprano in the church choirs, and she was always thrilled to be included in special programs such as performances of 'Handel's Messiah' at Christmastime.
She delighted in performing in stage musicals such as 'The Sound of Music', '110 in the Shade', and 'The Desert Song'. And she knew, by heart, numerous compositions by Rogers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, George Gershwin, and Steven Sondheim.
What did Ruth enjoy reading?
Ruth spent countless hours exploring other people, places, and times by consuming novels of all kinds, but especially those by Mary Stewart, Nora Roberts, Daphne du Maurier, Jean Auel, and Ruth Rendell.
She loved to both explore and practice ancient & alternative teachings such as holistic medicine, rosicrucian philosophy, celestial astrology, and nichiren buddhism.
She loved to both explore and practice ancient & alternative teachings such as holistic medicine, rosicrucian philosophy, celestial astrology, and nichiren buddhism.
What were Ruth's favorite things to eat?
Artichokes in butter, avocados, and dates.
Margherita pizza & a glass of cabernet.
Fritos w/ bean dip, longhorn cheddar, and green grapes.
Cup o' Gold candy bars.
And don't forget the pimento cheese.
Margherita pizza & a glass of cabernet.
Fritos w/ bean dip, longhorn cheddar, and green grapes.
Cup o' Gold candy bars.
And don't forget the pimento cheese.
What were some of Ruth's favorite quotes or sayings?
"Everything changes, and comes to an end."
"Well, at any rate..."
Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō
"Well, at any rate..."
Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō
Did Ruth enjoy the company of animal friends?
Ruth was a nurturer of furry pets of all kinds, especially her family's numerous & ever-present feline companions—and she even had a couple of dear canine friends.
To Tippy, Missy, Blaze, Calico, Domino, Rinky, Paul, Isabelle, Pudd'nhead, Chesley, Wesley, Simon, Fluffy, Barbie, and Annie: mama's coming home!
To Tippy, Missy, Blaze, Calico, Domino, Rinky, Paul, Isabelle, Pudd'nhead, Chesley, Wesley, Simon, Fluffy, Barbie, and Annie: mama's coming home!
What activities occupied Ruth's spare time?
She was very adept at solving crossword puzzles, and loved sudoku—especially the long, long, hard ones.
In her later years, she was attentive to the importance of keeping abreast of political discourse of the 21st century, and she loved to watch basketball.
In her later years, she was attentive to the importance of keeping abreast of political discourse of the 21st century, and she loved to watch basketball.
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