Born in Landrum, she was the daughter of the late James Elmer Johnson and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. Mrs. Tezza was a graduate of The Mary Black School of Nursing and worked at Mary Black Memorial Hospital and Craft&39;s Drug Stores. Mrs. Tezza was a past member of the Spartanburg Country Club where she was president of the Ladies Golf Association and held the ladies club championship title six times during her golfing career. She was a past president of the Magnolia Debutant Club and was an active member in the Morningside Baptist Church choir, Sunday School and was a hospice volunteer. Ruth will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, &uot;Grand-mommy&uot; and wonderful friend.

Mrs. Tezza is survived by three daughters, Kem Tezza Hunt and Dana Tezza Halliday, both of Spartanburg, Margo Tezza Orlandini of Columbia; one son, John Marco Tezza of Boiling Springs, as well as nine grandchildren.

She is also survived by lifelong friends J.T. and Margaret Cothran and Special Caretakers and Friends at Eden Terrace Assisted Living; three sisters, four brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Morningside Baptist Church, with Pastor Kirk Neely presiding. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer&39;s Association, 901 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, S.C. 29302.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.jmdunbar.com.

Dunbar Funeral Home and Crematory of Roebuck is in charge of arrangements.