Ruth Patrick Smith, 93, of Tifton passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2008, at Cypress Pond Assisted Living surrounded by her family, her good friend, Lucy Copeland and the wonderful staff of Cypress Pond, who so lovingly and attentively cared for her during her last days. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Omega Methodist Church, where she was a life-long member and the Sunday School Class she taught for 25 years was named the "Ruth Smith Sunday School Class". Rev. Mike Hobbs and Van Smith will officiate with burial to follow in Omega Cemetery. Grandsons and great grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 3, 2008, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Smith was born on November 5, 1914 in Tift County to the late Earnest Patrick and Eddith Merrimac Collier Patrick of Omega. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harry Van Smith and six sisters, Maude Westbrook, Ernestine Hornbuckle, Cleo Baker, Vivian Garrett, Bill Sells, and Vines Pendley and one son-in-law, Cecil Hall.
She worked as an elementary school teacher in Omega for 23 years, beginning her career at the age of 40 after having been left a widow with two small children. Mrs. Smith retired from teaching in 1987 and served as president of the local chapter of retired teachers. In addition, she has served as president of the 20th Century Library Club and was a member of the Tifton Women's Club, Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teacher's organization and Club 55.
She is a past president of the Tift Regional Medical Center's Auxiliary and served as the group's program chairman, awards chairman, orientation chairman and parliamentarian, as well as southwestern director of the Georgia State Auxiliary. She was a member of the council for the arts and entertainment series, the National Education Association, the Georgia Association of Educators and the International Reading Association. She was also named Outstanding Teacher of America in 1974 for her contributions to educational advancement.
In 1994, she was chosen as the 41st Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award winner for her quiet, good deeds as a woman who regularly donated her time to care for disadvantaged children and voluntarily instructing disabled persons. Ruth Smith loved people and was a friend to everyone she met. Lovingly named "Nana", she will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Smith is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Van and Jackie Smith of Cartersville; one daughter, Patty Hall of Tifton; one sister, Edith Keith of Tifton; six grandchildren and their spouses, Gina and Mike Hobbs, Ricky and Dell Smith, Rusty and Tammie Smith, all of Tifton, and Greg and Cindy Hall, Jill and Brad Ellis and Kim and Tom Wagner, all of Atlanta; fifteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.