Ruth E Smith

Ruth Ellen Church (Smith) was born January 13,1929 in McCleary, WA. She married Robert L. Smith in October of 1946. They had 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters. Sons Bobby and Robin both were lost as infants, leaving son Rocky and daughters Terry, Julie and Mari Lea.

Ruth was number 6 of 9 daughters in a row born to Karl and Marian Church with 2 sons following. They were Edna, Marge, Grace, Laura, Lenore, Ruth, Jan, Evelyn and Hazel and then Richard and Jerry were born.

Ruth is survived by son Rocky Smith and wife Terry of Olympia, WA daughters Terry Patten and husband Jim of Kenai, Alaska, Julie Colbert and husband John of McCleary, WA and Mari Lea Mayberry and husband Grieg of Stephenville, Texas, 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren. And also sisters Laura Reynolds, Evelyn Patterson and Jan Klauk and brothers Richard Church, Jerry Church and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth worked for the state of Washington from 1964-1991 in the Department of Licensing. She then bought a motorhome and vacationed in Cabo San Lucas for 3 years. After she sold her motorhome she moved back to McCleary and settled in the Forrestview mobile home park on some property that had originally belonged to her parents where she remained until her passing.

Ruth’s family would like to invite you to come Celebrate her life with us on Saturday, August 10th @

12 Noon at 357 Cloquallum Road, in Elma Washington at the Carter’s residence. We will have a service officiated by William Self followed by a potluck meal.

Memories from daughter Terry

Mom had a never-ending love of children and she collected many along her journey in life that called her Mom, Nan and GranNan. She had a way about her to make each and every one of them feel special.

There are so many wonderful memories that are shared among us of the family gatherings: during the holidays, the family reunions, family camping trips to the beach, the canal and especially at Mason Lake. Several of the campsites were taken by family members at the lake and others that weren’t related would usually join in as if they were to be a part of card games, water fights, and good ol’ fun and laughter. We had special words used to let the kids that were family know to come to camp and eat. Words like "bawdoon", which was for watermelon. Who could forget the huge big fire pit we would all gather around at night and tell stories, jokes, or just good family time. We were so blessed in having such a fun-loving family to grow up in. Every time we talked about getting together Mom would always make sure that that food was involved. If the gathering had been planned for a bit, you could almost bet that she would bring "Gran Nan's green jello Salad"

Then, there are memories of all the fishing trips taken after the boat was bought. You could just about count on Mom and Dad being somewhere every week-end either camping or fishing as long as the weather was the least bit cooperative.

Mom loved to make her little lap quilts and give them to family members and other special people. I can't even begin to count all of the baby quilts she has made and passed out. Almost every one of them were stitched with love by hand, even though her hands were getting so crippled from arthritis, she loved doing it. She wasn't able to get out and shop, so we would pick out what was needed for a quilt and take it to her. My quilting stash would start to overflow every now and then and I would go through it and send the quilt makings down to her. She would tell me it was like Christmas getting the things to make more baby quilts mainly, but some of her wonderful lap quilts also.

I think of the many hours we have played cards or domino's with her. She loved having card parties at her house or going somewhere else to play as long as she was able to. When it got too hard for her to leave the house, then family and friends would come to her place. Lifelong friends, Barb and Phyllis were so good about bringing snacks or dinners and playing cards with Mom quite often. We hope they know how much that meant to her. Many of the great grandkids and some of the grandkids would go and play cards with her for hours and she would enjoy it so much.

I can just see her up there in heaven with all the family that has gone on before her, especially the babies, with a huge smile loving them all.

We are sure going to miss you Mom and I look forward to quilting with you again, even if it’s the clouds we quilt.

We love and Miss You Mom, hope to be seeing you before long.