Margaret Ruth Smith

Margaret Ruth (Otto) Smith, 95, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec 27, 2024. She was born May 1, 1929 in Lancaster, Pa. the oldest of seven to H. Blair and Nora ( Kreider) Otto. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the Love of her Life for over 63 years, her husband, John L.(Jack) Smith, a sister, Lois VunCannon and two brothers, Hugh K Otto and Dale B Otto.

Margaret’s parents brought her from Lancaster, Pa to Barberton, Ohio at 6 months of age. She graduated from Barberton High School in Jan, 1947, then was married to Jack on May 28, 1949. Three children blessed that union , a son Michael in 1951 ( the future Little Master Barberton), an adorable bouncing brown eyed baby girl named April (‘55) and in 1963 a strapping 10.5 pound curly headed baby boy named Kenneth.

The Smiths were later proud grandparents to six grandchildren , Jennifer (Smith)Werstler, Rachel Smith, Paul(Artie and Cilla) and Keri Dye, and Sarah and Tyler Smith and 4 great -grandchildren, Noah (Chloe), Sam, and Caleb Werstler and Piper Dye. Also included by Jack & Margaret in the “family ranks” were adopted kids Mike Moore and Jackie Shamber.

Margaret attended the Barberton Wesleyan Methodist Church for 70 years… over that time she was very involved in teaching Sunday School classes, writing the weekly church bulletin, serving for over 17 years as church treasurer, and serving as church secretary. She loved to express her Faith thru music, and sang in various musical groups., including the singing Christmas Tree.

After retiring, the Smiths moved to Hobe Sound, Florida to be near the younger part of the family. Margaret loved to express herself through writing… and in her later years, even enrolled in a creative writing class! She wrote various poems, and had quite a few published in Magazines and various church banners. At the age of 75 , she had her first booklet published… “ He is the God of Miracles” … a few years later she followed up with a daily devotional book, “ Grandma’s Inspirational Recipes.

Margaret had always enjoyed fishing, and now lived with a well stocked pond within a stones throw of her front door! She spent many afternoons at the pond and over time she trained the fish to bite on cut up hot dogs! Many a “ bass fisherman” came to visit with poles and lures in tow… only to be “ out-fished” by Margaret and her ziploc bag of trusty hot dogs! Time after time she would tell of the 20-30 that she’d landed and also at times of the one that got away!

Surviving Margaret are her 3 children, Michael ( Becky) Smith of N. Canton , Ohio, April ( Paul) Dye , Hobe Sound, Fl and Kenneth ( Beverly) Smith of Hobe Sound, Fl. , her two sisters, Phyllis Boston of Akron, Ohio, and Patricia Frase of Chandler, Az, one brother, Beryl (Brenda) Otto of Uniontown, Ohio , her 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will greet guests at 1 pm on Thursday, Jan 9th at Hobe Sound Bible Church 11295 se Gomez Ave Hobe Sound, Fl. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2 pm with Rev Wesley Holden and Rev George Vernon officiating. Burial will be on Friday, Jan 10 at 1:30 pm at S Fl National Cemetery, Lake Worth , Fl.

All arrangements are being handled by Aycock Funeral Home, Young & Prill Chapel 6801 SE Federal Hwy Stuart, Fl 34997

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Treasure Coast Hospice/Martin County 1000 SE Ruhnke St. Stuart, Fl 34997 in her name