Ruth M. Smith

Ruth Murray Smith, 87, of 80 Eliada Home Road, Asheville, died Saturday, June 22, 2002, at the Brian Center in Weaverville following a period of declining health. Mrs. Smith a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County and was a daughter of the late James Wiley and Daisy Sara Haynes Murray. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Arson S. Smith, Sr. in 1995, an infant daughter, her son, Arson S. Smith, Jr., in 1998, six brothers and three sisters. She was a member of Emma United Methodist Church and the Adult Womens Sunday School Class and was a faithful worker in Vacation Bible School and member of the UMW for many years. She was a homemaker, a kind and generous person. She was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. She is survived by three daughters, Peggy Jean Loyd and her husband Vernon and Carolyn Joyce Roberts and her husband Fred of Asheville and Beverly Joan Shuford and her husband Leonard of Mars Hill; one son, Philip M. Smith and his wife Ellen of Easley, SC; ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Tuesday at Pisgah View Memorial Park with the Revs. Wes Sharpe and Ronald Dodson officiating. Her grandsons will be pallbearers. Her family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Monday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Memorials may be made to Emma United Methodist Church, PO Box 6921, Asheville, NC 28816.