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Grandma Ruby Lee Johnson, 3 May 1916 – 19 May 2015
26 May 2015
Allison read her Grandma Ruby Lee Johnson’s obituary and paused to celebrate her amazing grandma and business mentor.
Tags: allison read, balance, grief, women and leadership
I was my Grandma Ruby Lee Johnson’s first grandchild. I struggled a lot under the age of five with being a little person. My earliest memories are of wanting to be grown-up and feeling a bit trapped by childhood. My mama adored me, but was often stumped by how to help me behave in my early years. Her mother, Grandma Ruby Lee Johnson, could always help me find my peace and be my best self.
We had an incredible relationship all through my childhood that got even stronger when I came to the University of Virginia as an undergraduate. She and Granddaddy lived in Fredericksburg, VA, so I could get to them a lot easier than I could travel to my parents in Maitland, FL. They both thought I could do absolutely anything and told me so all the time.
Grandma was his full business partner in their grocery store in the late 1930s when women very seldom owned anything. She went on to become a high school English and business teacher. I know she’s a big part of the reason I pursued a BA in English at UVA then an MBA. She believed we could be poets and professionals. I took all of her advice so seriously.
Up until her dementia set in six years ago, Grandma and I talked every few weeks. She knew the ups and downs of my early entrepreneurial years and all my hopes and dreams. She used to say, “Allie, I fought for you to be able to do absolutely anything you wanted professionally and personally, but I can’t create more than 24 hours in a day. You’ll have to make choices.” She was an early balance mentor for me before anyone really used that word.
Allison Sims Linney, Barbara Johnson Linney, and Ruby Lee Johnson 1994
Grandma celebrated her 99th birthday a few weeks before she died on 19 May 2015, but the truth is that her mind was gone long before that, and we weren’t sure when her body would let go. So her death has been a joyful relief in the midst of the sadness. I’ve felt her clear-minded wisdom, comfort, and encouragement in the last week in ways that I haven’t for years. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but I’m so grateful. Thank you, Grandma. You helped Mama and me become who we wanted to be. We celebrated you as we wrote your obituary last week and will celebrate you again on Sunday 31 May 2015 with the rest of the family.
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Rachel
May 27, 2015
I count myself among those who are so very grateful for all the lessons Grandma shared with you. We’re all richer for them.
Allison
May 29, 2015
Thank you very much. She sure was proud of how you and I have partnered to build this business that makes us so happy.
Natalie Brown
May 30, 2015
I never met your grandma in person, but I see the evidence of her greatness in you and in Barbara. I don’t know exactly what you all are going through, but can definitely relate (with losing someone years into dementia…) to joyful relief in the midst of sadness. Prayers are with you.
Allison
May 30, 2015
Thank you, Natalie. It will be good to celebrate her with family tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to celebrating your 8th grader’s moving up ceremony in a few weeks.
Maggie Chotas
Jun 01, 2015
What a beautiful tribute to your relationship with your Grandmother, Allison. She sounds like an inspiration, indeed!