Minnie Ruth Eubanks Smith

Ruth was born September 24, 1922, in Lucedale, Mississippi, to Margaret Elizabeth and William Henry Eubanks. She graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, serving as Class President before going on to Mississippi University for Women (MSCW) where she received a BS degree with a double major in Bacteriology and Chemistry.

While in Junior College she met her future husband, Dr. Doyle P. Smith. After graduating from college, they moved to New Orleans where Doyle attended Tulane Medical School and Ruth worked as a Medical Technologist at Charity Hospital. While there, her love for music encouraged her to study voice and piano at the Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon leaving New Orleans, they moved to Collins, Mississippi, where Ruth worked as Medical Technologist in their family medical practice.

In 1957, the family moved to Jackson where Ruth became Chief Medical Technologist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. While there she served as President of the Mississippi State Society of Medical Technologists.

Ruth became actively involved with numerous volunteer organizations. She served as President of several organizations including the Asgard Literary Club, the Jackson Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Central Medical Auxiliary, the Mississippi State Medical Auxillary, the Mississippi Opera Guild and the MacDowell Music Club. She was honored as one of Mississippi’s Top Ten Volunteer Activist. Most recently, the Ruth Smith Music Scholarship was established through the Jackson Federation of Women’s Clubs.

For the last 19 years she has served on the Executive Board of the National Federation of Music Clubs with her most recent role being that of Protocol Chairman. She also served as Junior Counselor on the National Board. Ruth is a lifetime member of the National and Mississippi Federation of Music Clubs.

She served as President of the MUW National Alumnae Association, later being honored with the Alumnae Achievement Award. She was the first woman President of the Mississippi IHL Inter Alumni Council.

During Dr. Smith’s tenure with Doctor’s Hospital, they established the Chemical Dependency Treatment Program

and helped begin the Impaired Physicians Program for the State Medical Association servicing both physicians and their families. Ruth was actively involved in assisting with the program for spouses. The outreach for this program was extensive and helped establish COPAC in Brandon. They later moved to Hattiesburg to help start Pine Grove Recovery Center. Ruth served there as the Family Program Coordinator and was a member of the Mississippi Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The family later returned to Jackson to start Jackson Recovery Center.

Ruth is a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church, actively participating while in the choir as well as attending the Ruth Sunday School Class and the JOY (Just Older Youth) Club.

She leaves behind a family that loved and adored her. She is survived by her son D. Preston Smith, Jr., and his wife Geri; her daughter Diane P. Smith (D.P.); and her grandchildren, Clare Rush (husband Don), Parker Smith, Peyton Smith (wife Emmaline), Steve Hampton (wife Pam and great granddaughter Hannah), Jason Hampton (wife Deanna and children Mason, Maddox and Chandler).

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Doyle P. Smith, her parents, Margaret Elizabeth and William Henry Eubanks, her sisters, Margaret Rose Dees, Lura Eubanks, Frances Draughn, Inez Harmon, Mildred Welford, Ellen Welford, Velma Claxton, Nancy Brannan, and her brothers, Henry Eubanks, Woodrow Eubanks, Lloyd Eubanks, Arthur Eubanks and Frank Eubanks.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Van Lackey, the physicians and staff of the Jackson Oncology Associates and the entire staff of Mississippi Baptist Medical Center for the love and care they bestowed to Ruth and the entire family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Jackson Federation of Women’s Club Ruth Smith Music Scholarship Fund or the Building Fund of Broadmoor Baptist Church Madison, Mississippi.

Philippines 1:3 I praise God upon every remembrance of you.