Funeral services for Ruth Newberry Smith, 94, of Crawford County, will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church on Sandy Point Road in Crawford County. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Smith passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016 at a Macon hospice after an illness of about two months.  

Born in Bibb County on August 14, 1922, she was known in her family of origin as “Nankie.” She grew up in Lizella and for a brief time in the Warner Robins vicinity. She had been a member of Lizella Baptist Church and she graduated from Bonaire High School in 1939. She also lived for a few years in Pennsylvania during early adulthood.

She joined Bethel United Methodist Church after her marriage to Thomas Pyles Smith, who preceded her in death, and had been a member for many years. She was retired from a career as a civilian employee of Robins Air Force Base.  

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Floyd S. and Hazel Mosely Newberry; by a first husband, Chalmer Ernest Spangler of Pennsylvania, who was killed in action during World War II in 1944; and by sister Ellen Ekman, brother William Earl Newberry, and several brothers and sisters who died in childhood.  

Mrs. Smith held a deep faith in God and lived her faith actively through her compassion for and generosity to those in need. She was devoted to all branches of her family through the years. In addition to long years of employment outside the home, she also was a warm and welcoming homemaker. She was a wonderful cook, and she especially enjoyed working outside in nature, enjoying gardening of all kinds and sharing with many the products of her natural talent for floral arranging.

She is survived by two sons, Thomas E. (Jeanette) Smith and Stanley Neal Smith, and one daughter, Gina Ruth Smith, all of Crawford County, and by six grandchildren, Michael (Tiffany) Smith of Jones County, Tammie (Vince) Castrovillari of Roberta,  Molly (Rudy) Douglas of Macon, Callie Ruth Dodd of Crawford County, Andrew Smith of Roberta, and Thomas M. (Jaimie) Smith of Macon. Her survivors also include one brother, Morris E. Newberry of Macon; five great-granddaughters; one great-great granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.  

The family may be contacted at the home of Thomas E. and Jeanette Smith.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home.

Flowers will be welcomed, or memorial contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church or to Bethel Cemeteries Fund, 8870 US Highway 80, Lizella, GA 31052.

McLeighton Funeral Service of Roberta is in charge of arrangements.

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