Ruth Smith

Ruth Smith, 95, of Midland, TX died Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in the Hospice of Midland In-Patient Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital. She was born January 16, 1916 in Washington County, Arkansas to Joe and Freddie Lamons. On May 12, 1935 she married Russell Smith. They lived in Cincinnati, AR for two years before moving to Siloam Springs where they lived until Russell’s death on October 10, 1982. Ruth continued to live there until she moved to Midland in 1997 where she lived at Polo Park Estates Retirement Home and The Vogel Center at Manor Park. Ruth attended school in Cincinnati, AR and Westville, OK where she graduated from Westville High School. She worked toward a teaching certificate at Northeastern Oklahoma University. She taught three years in Nicodemus, a one-room country school in Benton County, AR. She did substitute teaching in the Siloam Springs School District for many years. While living in Siloam Springs, Ruth was active in the First United Methodist Church, the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and the local chapter of AARP. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; son, Harold Dale Smith; sisters, Winnie Russell, Helen Griffin, Betty Bean, and Virginia Lamons; and brothers-in-law, Paul Russell and Denton Bean. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and John Moreland of Midland, TX; grandchildren, John Russell Moreland (Janella) of Belfair, WA, Patricia Hicks (Donnie) of Lubbock, TX, Michael Smith (Kris) of White Bear, MN, and Kelly Smith (Jeff) of Berea, KY. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Sam Griffin of Summers, AR; daughter-in-law, Judy Smith, of White Bear, MN; and great-grandchildren, David Hicks, Katie Hicks, Justin Smith, Nathan Smith, Nathan Richey, Colin Richey, and Zenith Savary. The family expresses deep appreciation for the care given to Ruth by Dr. Shylesh Ganta for many years. Appreciation is also given to Hospice of Midland, The Vogel Center at Manor Park, and to the many friends who supported the family during her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A visitation will be held at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, AR on Friday, October 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, October 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Dr. Jarrell Sharp of Denton, TX . The family suggests memorials be directed to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3011 W. Kansas, Midland, TX 79701, the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 1500 W. Jefferson, Siloam Springs, AR 72761, or the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 205 E. Jefferson, Siloam Springs, AR.

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Ruth Smith

January 16, 1916 - October 5, 2011