RUTH VIRGINIA RUTH

1929-2018

Ruth Virginia (Smith) Ruth was freed from earthly pain on March 7, 2018. She was born on March 27, 1929 to Grady E & Lettie B Smith in Rockford, Illinois. She moved with her family several times in 10 states ending up in Houston, Texas where she graduated from Reagan High School where she excelled & was a member of the Elk Cadets drill team. She met Benny Ruth while in high school & became his wife on July 19, 1949. Some of her favorite memories took place in Hartford, CT, keeping in touch with a formal principal & a childhood friend.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Mary Jane Cole, & brothers, Bill Smith & Paul Smith. Ruth & Benny had three children which they raised in the Galena Park, TX area. She volunteered for many charities in the area. She was a Girl Scout leader, PTA President & eventually President of District 11 of PTA, Texas. After her children left home she attended college & graduated with Honors from U of U, Clear Lake, TX with a Teaching Degree & instantly had a job with the Galena Park ISD. She taught 5th grade at McArthur Elementary & Green Valley Elementary where she retired from in 1992. She enjoyed travel with her husband & family particularly the Hawaiian Islands. Ruth created many wonderful memories for her family over the years. She truly was the “Queen” of our family.

Ruth is survived by her husband Benny, her children, Sharon Faseler (Clyde), Laura Agee (Ravil), & Bob Ruth (Carolyn). Also, her grandchildren, Jonathan King (Jessica), Kate Agee-Hunt (Matthew), Benjamin Ruth (Addy), Justin Agee, Tim Ruth (Anna) & Jason Ruth. She had 12 great-grandchildren. Ruth dearly loved her nieces & nephews, David Cole, Steven Cole, Susan ColeThiele, William Cole & Pamela Smith Falzon. She died as she lived- with grace. The family is grateful for kindness & compassion shown to Ruth & family by Brookdale, ALF, The Woodlands, Texas and by the Vantage Hospice team members. The family will receive friends, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6pm-8pm at the Heights Funeral Home. The Funeral is scheduled for Thursday, 10:30am at the Heights Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery.

Irish saying Ruth loved & lived: “When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling-live your life so that when you die, you’re smiling and everyone around you is crying”.