Ruth A. Smith

Ruth A. Smith, 98, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed into eternity to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 24, 2023. Ruth was born on December 6, 1924 in Ages, Kentucky to Alfred Houston Hale and Mary Ann Hale (Wildes).

She grew up in New River, Scott County Tennessee where she excelled in school and sang with the Baptist church choir, including a trip to the grand opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of her cherished memories. After the death of her young mother,  Ruth was sent to live with an Aunt in Cincinnati, Ohio. She became a nanny for the Proctor family and later found a job working to support the war effort. There, she met and married the love of her life, Charles R. Smith. After returning to Tennessee to care for her ailing father and give birth to their first two children, the couple moved permanently to Lebanon, Ohio. They opened Smith Grocery in Genntown, Ohio in 1952 with a truckload of watermelons and a bumper crop of cucumbers. The pair were natural entrepreneurs and their business grew to include a pottery shop, gas station, carry out, truck stop restaurant and auction house. Eventually they opened Genntown Furniture, a Lebanon landmark for 25 years.

Ruth’s passion was for mentoring and encouraging young people. She assisted in founding the Lebanon charter chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in order to provide scholarships to young women and promote a supportive network to all women in the workforce. Ruth was tireless in supporting her local community through her business, her dedication to local and state politics and the Genntown Church.

Instead of retiring at age 65, she started a second career with the Ohio Department of Transportation as a travel counselor. For the next ten years she promoted the beautiful state of Ohio and made lasting memories visiting the state’s many destinations with her fellow employees. Ruth finally retired at age 76 and became a snowbird, dividing her time between Ohio and Florida, where she could enjoy her new role as “GeeGee” to her great grandchildren and spend time with her beloved sister, Maude. She lived the last years of her life with her children where she loved to sing and draw and spend time outdoors by the beach.

She is survived by her daughter Patricia Pemberton of Vero Beach and daughter and son-in-law, Suzan and Mark Blaker of Vero Beach. Sister, Maude Baker of Charleston, SC, grandchildren, Michelle (Terrance) Campbell, Sheri (Dion) Smith, Brent Whaley, Tina (David) Parton, Alex (Kristin) Smith and Nic Smith. Ruth cherished her extensive family and was  especially grateful for those she was able to be close to, Katelynn Campbell, Cameron Smith , Jacob Smith and her “favorite” niece, Barbara Cain. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles and son, Floyd R. Smith as well as five young brothers, Herman, Woodrow, Conley, James and George. She leaves a legacy of a great faith in God, love of family and friends and hard work.

Her earthly body will be interned next to her husband at Miami Cemetery in Waynesville, Ohio.

Donations in Ruth’s honor may be made to the Warren County Foundation Scholarship Fund, PO Box 490, Lebanon, Ohio 45039. (Note: Ruth A Smith Memorial Fund)

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.