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Ruth Smith was born near Tonkawa, Oklahoma on July 6, 1917 to Rosa Williams Irby and Fredrick Norman Irby. Her parents farmed and she spent her formative years attending public schools and the University Prep School in Tonkawa, as well as milking cows and other farm work. Ruth subsequently earned a B.S. in biology at the University of Oklahoma and a M.S. in zoology.
In 1942 Ruth moved to Washington D.C. to help with the war effort. She became the first woman to be employed by the F.B.I. in their chemical laboratory. Ruth married Donald Charles Smith in Washington D.C. in1944 and continued to live there where Don was employed by the Naval Research Laboratory. In 1951 they moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where Don worked for Phillips Petroleum, eventually becoming Director of Research. They had four children, Owen, Carol, Marcia and Ardyn. They were active members of the First Methodist Church in Bartlesville.
When the children were finally out of the house, Ruth and Don built a beautiful house in the country near Bartlesville. Ruth became quite adept at scouring the estate and garage sales at home and in nearby states, recognizing dilapidated treasures and restoring them to beautiful pieces. She also collected Indian rugs, pottery and artifacts, micro mosaics and antique jewelry. Ruth and Don kept a large garden and grew and preserved almost all their food. In addition, they traveled abroad, loving to learn about other cultures and environments. Ruth also attended the local adult school to learn to use a Macintosh computer to follow the financial markets and the family investments.
Don passed away in 2001. Ruth sold the house several years later and moved to Green Country in Bartlesville in 2003, then finally on to Grass Valley, CA in 2011.
Ruth passed away peacefully last Wednesday, October 2, after ninety six years of good life. She was a sweet, strong, accomplished woman who will be much missed by those who knew her best.
Ruth is survived by her children, Owen Smith, of Los Angeles, CA, Carol Kramer (husband Andy), of Grass Valley, CA, Marcia Piotter (husband Steve), of Woodlands, TX and Ardyn Smith of New Orleans, LA. Also surviving are grandchildren Jessica Kramer Hathaway, Los Gatos, CA, Jody Kramer, Denver, CO, Mark Piotter and Brice Piotter, The Woodlands, TX and great grandchildren Dana and Quinn Hathaway, Los Gatos, CA.
Predeceased were her brother Dean Irby and husband Don Smith.
A private memorial service will be held.
If desired, a
memorial gift may be made in Ruth's name to the Hospice
of the Foothills
online at
https://hospiceofthefoothills.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298
or by mail to: Hospice of the Foothills, 11270 Rough &
Ready Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945. 530-272-5739
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