Edna Ruth Smith

Edna Ruth Smith "Ruthie" Ruth passed at the age of 98 on July 14, 2015 at 1:30 AM. She was born in Lockney, Texas, August 24, 1916 and moved to San Gabriel, California as a young girl with her mother Edna Floyd and older sister Evalina. She attended Alhambra schools where she met her husband to be Edward Chester Smith. They were married June of 1937 and had a son Richard Smith. Ruth and Ed enjoyed archery, fishing in Utah, time at New Port Beach and being with family and good friends. Ed died at 65 and they had almost 45 beautiful years together. Ruth was gifted in organization, hospitality and a desire to help people. She worked as a secretary for Alhambra City Schools until her husband retired. They enjoyed retirement together and she was an active member at Alhambra Methodist Church and PEO Sisterhood (a philanthropic organization). When Ed passed, Ruth needed to help more people and went back to work with the California Adult Literacy Program for nine more years. She also enjoyed sightseeing and traveled to many different places. Then, set up on a blind date by a friend from church, Ruth met Bill Mayfield and they were married at age 83 in November, 1999. They had seven years together before Bill died. Widowed for the second time, the drive to help people took over and she volunteered at the Alhambra Hospital until she was 92. After a couple of health issues, she moved across the country from southern California to snowy Kalamazoo, Michigan to be close to her family. Family was very important to Ruth and includes her Son Richard Smith (Kathy), Step Daughter Juliann (Mayfield) Murphy, Grandchildren Eric Smith (Ranelle), Lisa (Smith) Anderson (Tim) and Marcus Smith. She has six great grandchildren, one great-great grandson and several nieces and nephews. Her family knows she loved the Lord as evidenced by her contagious smile and gracious personality. We are forever grateful for the many years he shared her with us. She was preceded in death by her mother Edna Floyd, sister Evalina Owens, husbands Edward Smith and Bill Mayfield. A celebration of life service will be held at Milwood Methodist Church at 3919 Portage Road Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Family visitation starts at 10:00 followed by the service at 11:00 with lunch immediately after.