Mary F Rugg

Mary retired from working at Jord-Inn Truckstop in El Paso after 30 plus years. She also worked at Sunland Park and Ruidoso racetracks. Mary trained horses with her former husband, Wade H. Johnson who trained the famous quarter horses “Go Man Go” and “Double Bid” as well as “Gypsy Ben,” a thoroughbred. Her favorite pass time was writing songs and poetry. She met many famous artists and became good friends with Freddy Fender and his wife Evangelina. Mary’s only song that was recorded and released commercially was Ruidoso Waltz sung by Roy Colt. Her favorite songs that she wrote were Lover’s Hall of Fame and It Hurts to Love You. It was her lifelong dream to see one of her songs hit the big time. Two of her poems A Truckers Prayer and A Policeman’s Prayer have been published or displayed. All her songs and poetry are copyrighted. A remarkable lady that lived her life to the fullest.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Margie Johnson Ways, Bunker Hill, West Virginia, grandson, Wade Alan Johnson, Falling Waters, West Virginia and granddaughter, Wendy Marie Twigg, Winchester, Virginia; step-daughter, Mary Johnson Sims, Webber Falls, Oklahoma; three step-grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; three brothers: Donald Nolde and Ronald Nolde of Loveland, Colorado, Harry Nolde, of Kansas; eight sisters: Betty Juhl of Commerce City, Colorado, Barbara Wolff of Santa Clara, California, Kathern Werner of Denver, Colorado, Dixie Moore of California, Sharon Persinger of Colorado, Bonnie Busse, Pauline Newmeyer, and Cynthia Nolde of Loveland, Colorado.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by husband James Everett Rugg, son Alan Wade Johnson, one brother John Nolde Jr and three sisters Viola Wilson, Helen Hagel, and Ilene Laswell.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.MartinFuneralHomeEast.com.