Ruth Smith

Bristol, Tenn. / Marion, Va.

Ruth Stallard Smith, age 76, loving wife, mother, and grandmother went to her heavenly home April 1, 2023 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.  She lost her battle with kidney failure after four years of dialysis and, though her spirit was young at heart, her body and her heart began to give out in the end.  Until her last day, she was a fighter, pushing through the tiredness and pain to enjoy life.

Ruth graduated from Carson Newman College and she touched many lives through her 33 years of teaching English at Marion Senior High School. For years she would see familiar faces around Marion and even stayed in touch with several special students after moving to Tennessee. She also played the piano for 37 years at Marion Baptist Church.  She had so many fond memories of cantatas, special programs, and friends from these years.  Ruth worked on many committees including her favorites - the flower team, the children’s committee, special events, and the “Banner Babes.” She was at the church most days after retiring from the school, barefoot as always, and could be found decorating the sanctuary, folding newsletters, planning events like “A walk through Bethlehem,” or making banners. Ruth also did a lot of work in the community, from directing the Playtimers in her early days to volunteering with the adult literacy program in her later years. She was always giving and serving others around her with a smile on her face.

After moving near Knoxville in 2015, Ruth began to slow down and enjoyed spending time at Lake Loudon and with her new grandson. As her health began to decline, she found pleasure at home in sewing and crafting. After moving back to the Bristol area in 2020, she rekindled some old friendships and just enjoyed every day, going out when she could, soaking up the sunshine on pretty days, and developing new friendships online with a special prayer group. Ruth will be remembered by so many people for so many different reasons, but most especially by her family for being a best friend and the best “Grammar” anyone could hope for.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Hester Stallard, and one sister, Mary Lou Hamm.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Garry Smith; one daughter Tracy McCarty and husband, Jonathan; grandson, Jackson, all of Bristol Tenn.; one sister Jeanie Minor and husband, Roy of Newton, N.C.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 4 p.m. at Marion Baptist Church, 1258 North Main Street, Marion VA 24354.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks you to consider a donation to East Tennessee Kidney Foundation, PO Box 22072, Knoxville TN 37933; online at etkidney.org; or by phone (865) 288-7351.

To share memories of Ruth Stallard Smith, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Ruth’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.