Ruth Irene Smith
December 16, 1924 ~ July 16, 2011
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Ruth Irene Smith, 86, of Candler, died on Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals.
A native of Madison Co., she was a daughter of the late Ed and Ethel Lunsford. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul A. Smith. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Rex Lunsford.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughters, Joan Radford and husband Andy, of Asheville, and Julia Foster and husband Joe Mashburn, of Candler; son, Michael Smith and wife Donna, of Leicester; sister, Evelyn Taylor, of Asheville; grandchildren, Robert Foster, Lindsay Foster, Becky Mashburn, Bryan Smith, Eric Sexton, Michelle Cole, and Mark Radford; nephew, Jeff Taylor; and great-niece and nephew, Amber Brooks and Josh Owenby.
A memorial service for Mrs. Smith will be on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Mark Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Her family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
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Gran-Gran,
I am so proud of your children; Mom, Aunt Julia, Uncle Mike. Their strength of character represent your strength and your love. Uncle Rex, Aunt Jo-Jo and all your family and friends know your good work in this world. All of us grandkids will miss you. I will miss the days of you letting me stay up late and watching movies, eating junk food and letting me be spoiled as a grandkid should! From your Big Pine roots to putting brads on airplanes during WWII, you were an amazing example of a strong woman, mother and grandmother. I love you and am glad your suffering is over and you are once again re-united with family and friends. -SSG Mark Andrew Radford, son of Joan and Andy Radford and forever your grandson.
Julia,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of loss.
Mike & Laura
Julia; You have honored your mother in such a beautiful way in her remaining years on this earth! We know, from knowing you, that she must have been a very very precious lady! We will be praying for God’s strenth and comfort for you and your family!
Mike,Donna
I am very sorry for your loss, you and your family will be in our hearts and prayers.
As I sat awake the other night, this poem came to me from a special angel named Gran Gran.
As we look back over the years, it’s easy to smile through the tears.
With her wisdom and her guidance, she stood strong and proud. Raising three wonderful children, I am sure at times the house was loud.
Joan as the oldest, she always led the way and Julia with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes was know to bring home a stray. From furry friends and classmates too, Gran Gran was often surprised at what Julia could do.
With a heart as big as her mother’s, Julia brought home a friend from school to see that she had a bath and a new outfit too!
Mike was her baby, as she always adored him. Whenever he was around, her days never seemed grim.
Helping care for the grandchildren, she offered a helping hand. When the great grandchildren came along, she was ready to help again.
Coca Cola cakes were her specialty she made them with love to share, sneaking up the stairs to leave goodies everywhere.
With spunky shoes and a precious smile, she was always positive and ready to go the extra mile.
She touched many lives through the years and graced us with her presence for eighty-six years.
As she smiles upon us from heaven today, she will always be in our hearts alng the way.
Julia,Joe & Family
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Love & Prayers.
Gil & Pat
Our thoughts and prayers are with
you all. Ruth was a very special
person..and we will all miss her.
We love you …
I will miss this dear, sweet mother of one of my best friends.
Julia,Joe,Lindsey,& Robert
There are no words to describe how much I hurt for you and for the pain you must be feeling during this time. I know you will miss your mother/grandmother deeply. I only knew her a short time but she was a beautiful woman and I know she will be missed greatly by all.
All our love,
Terry Thomas and
all the girls at the
Credit Union
Joan, I am so sorry to hear of your mother passing. Know that you and your family are in my prayers. God rest her soul and may God bless you all through this time of loss.
Joyce Neal