Ruth Smith

Ruth Smith was born on July 11, 1931, in Elkhart, Kansas, and passed away on July 20, 2023, in Elkhart, Kansas, at the age of 92. Her parents were Elmer and Stella (Burton) Isom who came to Texas County, Oklahoma, from Indiana in 1918 as newlyweds. Ruth lived her entire life in Texas County and Elkhart, Kansas.

Ruth attended school in Elkhart and graduated with the Class of 1949. On September 8, 1949, she married Lawrence Smith in Clayton, New Mexico. They were married nearly 64 years before Lawrence passed away in 2013.

Ruth was a creative individual and had many outlets for her artistic talents. She was a member of the Tri-State Art Association and painted with both oils and watercolors. She also did pen-ink and colored pencil drawings. She shared her talents in Elkhart through summer recreation programs and at Girl Scout camp as the “Craft Lady” for many years. She was an Elkhart Girl Scout troop leader as well.

Through the years, Ruth sewed numerous items of clothing for various family members. Many of the scraps from these clothes were later used to make quilts. She was a member of the local Prairie Point Quilt Guild. Family members and Ruth’s close friends cherish the bed quilts, lap quilts and denim throws she gave them.

Ruth and Lawrence traveled extensively through the years and visited all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. After Lawrence’s retirement, they took up bird watching together and saw over 700 species during their travels. Many bird watchers came to Elkhart and were shown the local species by Lawrence and Ruth.

Ruth is survived by three daughters – Leanna Smith of Elkhart; Lori Coles of Meade, Kansas; and Melinda Smith (Mark Mills) of Haven, Kansas. Also surviving are two grandsons – Jamie Coles of Meade, Kansas; and Jason Coles of Oklahoma City; and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, July 24, at the Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Terrell Giddens officiating. Friends may call Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Garnand Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to either the Morton County Library or Hands for Hope (Morton County) in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.