Anna Ruthe Smith
August 16, 1931 ~ May 6, 2009
Resided in:
Avery's Creek, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Anna Ruthe Smith, 77, of Avery's Creek, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Mission Hospital after a long battle with COPD.
Ruthe was the daughter of the late Joseph Nelson and Achsha Harrison Johnson and also was preceded in death by her brother, Jay N. Johnson.
Ruthe grew up in Robbinsville and became a nurse with Mission Hospital. She moved to Tampa, FL where she met her husband of 46 years, Harrison L. Smith. During his service in the Air Force, they traveled the United States, retiring to Avery's Creek in 1974.
The many things Ruthe enjoyed included traveling, the outdoors, the beach, Floyd Cramer music, working puzzles, gardening, playing with grandchildren, watching game shows, meeting people and making new friends.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Harrison L. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Diane, and Jay Smith and his wife, Jessica, three grandchildren, Jordan, Jayson and Juliet Smith; her step-daughter, Eva Wilson and her husband, Dennis, two step-grandchildren, Amy Loomis and Katie Wilson and two step-great grandchildren Lea and Pete Loomis. Also surviving are Ruthe's loving nephews, Doug and Johnny Johnson and niece, Denise, and their families.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Monday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Rev. Coy Jeans. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.
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Smitty and family, We are so very sorry to hear of Ruthe’s passing. We loved her dearly – she was a special lady. We always enjoyed spending time with you. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Jimmie and O P
Smitty – Our thought and prayers are with you and your family. Ruthe was a special person and was a great friend to many.
Love- Morgan Family
Smitty and the Boys,
You know how special Ruthe was to us. When I was younger she was more like a sister to me than an aunt. She and Pop did not have a big family, but they had a family that loved each other. Just know that you are in our prayers today and always.
My sincere sympathy to all the family. Although I never met Anna Ruthe, I felt like I knew her. We had several conversations by phone and she seemed like a very sweet lady. I know you will miss her.
Smith family,
We know what a difficult time this is for you all. It is our prayer that you will feel the presence of the LORD Almighty holding on to you. Ruthe is such a memorable lady…from her quick laugh to her generous spirit. We know she was welcomed in Heaven by many loved ones and is now rejoicing with her Savior.
Love to you all,
Bryan, Judi and boys
Dear Smitty and Family,
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. I am so glad I got to talk to Ruthe last Sunday. I will miss her deeply and all of our fun conversations. She was a ‘Special Lady’
God Bless.
Sue Winn
Hixson,Tn
Why do we waste opportunities in life. I had so many opportunities to visit the Smith Family and failed to do so…now I will not be able to enjoy Ruth’s company again.
I am so sorry Smitty. My deepest sympothy to you and the boys. God Bless you all and God Bless Ruth
Ruthe is an example of a woman who was a true friend to anyone she met from the coasts of Hawaii to North Carolina. All of us loved her and we’ll will miss her and mourn her loss. I know Smitty, boys and your families, will miss and grieve her loss even more, even though you were lucky to have had her so close. My heart goes out to you.
Dear Smitty, Butch&Diane and Jay&Jessica,
We love you all and wish we could be there. Our prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time. We will miss Ruthe. Thanks for sharing your family with ours.
May God be with you in the days ahead
and comfort you in you lonely times
and we will be praying for you and send our love to you and your family
Jay and family –
We just wanted you to know that you are in our prayers. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you right now. We have been praying for God’s strength and grace for you all.
Harrison and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We know your mother is in a much better place but it is so very hard to let go. May the Lord be with you and touch hearts at this time.
Harrison and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. May God bless and keep you in this difficult time.
Mr. Smith,
Was so sorry to see Mrs. Smith had passed away. I want you to know I will miss seeing her here at the pharmacy. God bless you and your family.
Becky West
Smitty and boys
I have such fond memories of Ruth. She always had a big smile loved everyone. I know she will be missed my many in the community. You all are in our prayers.
The Whittemore Family
We only met personally once or twice at meetings, but your’s and your husbands faith in our ‘Lord’ was always so evident. You’ve left us for a place we all want to be. Your goodness and kindness here will always remain with us.
Smitty and family, we are so sorry to hear about Ruthe. Our sympathy goes out to all of you. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. Ruthe will be missed by all.
All our love,
The Simkus Family
Uncle Smitty, Butch, Jay and family,
There are no words of sympathy that will take away the pain. But the memories of Aunt Ruthe are left behind with each of us and will always remain in our hearts while we are here, until we are with her once again.
May your grief be diminished, knowing that I care for each of you so very deeply. The grief that you have, I also share. Aunt Ruthe was so special to me, I love her and will miss our marathon phone calls.
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you always. Love,
Dear Smitty & Family
I am saddened to learn of Ruthe’s passing. Becoming neighbors at the Satellite Beach duplex gave us a lifetime friendship. My only regret as years passed we had so few opportunities to rekindle that friendship in person. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.