Ruby E. Smith

Ruby (Edwards) Smith was born on March 1, 1952, in Talbotton, Georgia, to the late Willie and Sallie Edwards. She was the oldest girl in a family with nine other siblings. At an early age, she moved and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Shaw High School in Cleveland, Ohio, class of 1970, and then went on to earn her Bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in 1974. It was at Ohio State where she met the love of her life, Gary Smith, with whom she celebrated 37 years of marriage this past February. She faithfully attended New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church until her lengthy illness. Ruby lost her courageous battle on Tuesday, July 6, at Grant Hospital, and went home to be with the Lord. Ruby's career took her to several companies, but she spent the bulk of her career as a Program Coordinator in the Engineering Dept. at The Ohio State University. She retired from that position in 2010. To know Ruby was to love her. You could not be around her and not have a good time. She was the cornerstone of her family, had the biggest heart and would do anything she could for anyone, especially her family. She was kind, caring, and compassionate, but now do not come with no mess! Although Ruby had no biological children, she was a mother to many and raised several of her nieces and nephews over the years. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Sallie Edwards, 3 brothers, Larry, Albert, and Anthony Edwards, two nephews, Anthony Edwards, and Calvin Parker. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Gary C. Smith, nephew/son Albert Moore, bonus daughters Alicia Renee Thigpen, and Kimberly N. Smith of Philadelphia; 3 grandchildren, Navar Thigpen, Ravan Shepard, and Kai Cummings; siblings Willie (Nicolette) Edwards, Michael Edwards, Elaine Edwards, Gale Edwards-Thornton (Jerry)), Robin Edwards, and Cheryl Edwards; special sister/friend Charmaine Johnson, a host of nieces, nephews, many other special friends, and students with whom she had forged many special relationships while at Ohio State. Ruby Smith, affectionately called Rube by many, will be greatly missed.