Patsy Ruth Johnson

Patsy Ruth Johnson, 85, of Mexia, Texas, passed away on October 14, 2026, in Mexia. She was born on January 17, 1941, in Fairfield, Texas, to Jim and Helen Guest.

Patsy was a woman of remarkable strength, fierce independence, and unwavering devotion to her family. Strong-willed, outspoken, and never afraid to share her opinion, she approached life with practicality, determination, and a healthy dose of realism. While some might have called her a pessimist, Patsy was quick to correct them. She wasn't a pessimist; she was a realist, and she knew the difference.

She believed that when something needed to be done, you simply did it. She wasn't one to sit around waiting for someone else to take charge or spend much time worrying about what couldn't be changed. She faced life's challenges head-on, handled what needed handling, and moved forward. Her family knew that when things got difficult, Patsy was someone they could count on.

Above all else, Patsy loved her family fiercely. She wasn't one for grand displays of affection or overly sentimental words. Instead, she expressed her love through her actions, in the countless ways she cared for those closest to her. If her children or grandchildren needed her, everything else could wait. Whether it was a problem to solve, a helping hand, or simply being there when it mattered most, she never hesitated. She might tell you exactly what she thought about a situation, whether you wanted to hear it or not, but she would also be the first person to step in and help you through it.

An avid reader throughout her life, Patsy was rarely without a book. Reading was one of her greatest pleasures, and she found endless enjoyment in the pages of a good story. Her lifelong love of books was a constant in her life and something she treasured.

Patsy lived life on her own terms. She was capable, resourceful, and wonderfully practical, with a way of cutting through the unnecessary and getting straight to what mattered. She had strong opinions, and she wasn't particularly concerned with whether everyone agreed with them. But behind that no-nonsense exterior was a woman whose loyalty and devotion to her family never wavered.

Patsy also had some very definite opinions about obituaries. She often told her family that when her time came, she didn't want hers filled with exaggerated praise or flowery descriptions of how wonderful she was. Having read more than a few obituaries of people she knew, she was sometimes less than impressed by the glowing accounts. In keeping with her wishes, we won't pretend she was perfect. She was strong-willed, opinionated, stubborn at times, and entirely herself. But she was also dependable, capable, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved. And those are the things worth remembering.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Floyd Edwin Johnson; her parents, Jim and Helen Guest; her sister, Geri Stanley; and her brothers, Jim Guest and Kenny Guest.

Patsy is survived by her daughter, Michelda Brown of Mexia; her son, Brendon Johnson and wife Heidi of Mexia; and her three beloved grandchildren, Kamrye Brown, Abigail Johnson, and Mason Johnson. She is also survived by her sister, Peggy Pipkin and husband, Dick of Kingwood, Texas. She leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will cherish her memory.

Those who knew Patsy will remember her strength, her determination, her unmistakable opinions, and the steadfast love she demonstrated throughout her life. She leaves behind a family who will miss her presence, her advice (whether solicited or not), and the comfort of knowing she was always there when they needed her.

Her legacy is not one of grand gestures or elaborate words, but of a lifetime spent showing up, taking care of business, and loving her family in the way she knew best.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gibbs Memorial Library in Mexia, Texas, in honor of Patsy's lifelong love of reading.