Ruth Ann Smith

Ruth Ann Smith was the eldest of four born to the union of Horace H. Smith, Jr., of Indianapolis, Indiana and Mae Rosa Hartfield Smith, of San Antonio, Texas. Horace was actively serving in the United States Army during World War II stationed at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where his heart was betrothed to a beautiful, renowned nurse-midwife named Mae Rosa in 1942 and soon after they wed. On Saturday, March 4, 1944, at 12:10 A.M., at the family home, 207 Gibbs Street, San Antonio, Texas, assisted by Dr. C. A. Whittier and nurse, Nomi Hartfield, her aunt, weighing in at 7 ½ pounds, Ruth Ann became the first born child and the beginning of their legacy. Ruth Ann was named by her maternal grandmother, Fannie Hall, in memory of her paternal grandmother, Ruth Ann Asbery Smith. Shortly after her birth, she was dedicated to Christ and Christened on Easter Sunday Morning 1944, at Second Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas.

During Ruth’s first year of life the family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana her father’s native home, to be near family while he continued his service overseas during WWII. The Smiths were reared in a close-knit, Christian family, she was baptized at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where her paternal family members were active, founding members. In later years, Second Christian/Light of the World Christian Church was her selected place of worship, where she served diligently in the Food Service Ministry and sang in the Mass Choir until her health challenged her ability to continue.

The Smith Family became homesteaders and integrators in the Northside Butler-Tarkington neighborhood and she was among the first African-American students to attend neighborhood School #43 in the Indianapolis Public School System. She received her secondary education at Shortridge High School, where she excelled academically.  While at Shortridge, she was active in the music and theater departments, where she sang in the chorus, played the flute and participated in theater productions as well as being a fierce baton majorette.  

Ruth Ann matriculated at Ball State and later attended Indiana University and Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), where she completed three years of study. During her college years, she met a handsome collegiate gentleman from New York who was attending Butler University, and from their union, Lisa Marie was born. From this moment, her entire life centered around her beautiful baby girl who she adored. Her shining moments included when she basked in her glory as “Mother of the Bride” and words could never express the joy she exuded as grandmother to Jordan and great grandmother to Bella Grace. She relished in the joy of each of their accomplishments, large and small, and made certain she was present and dressed to the “T” to support them in their endeavors.

She also adored being the older sister to Charles, Carolyn and baby Janet. She, like her mother, welcomed each family member with loving, open arms. Love always abounded in the home on Capital Avenue from which generational relationships of neighbors, church family and friends were built and still exist.

Ruth was a born nurturer. Her unwavering dedication was exemplified as she cared for her parents until their deaths. Lisa had since relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and insisted upon her relocation despite her rebuttals thereafter. Her retirement years were spent doing what she enjoyed most— being in the presence of her progeny, traveling to spend precious time with loved ones, reading fashion magazines to keep up with the latest trends, crocheting blankets for family members and retail therapy.  In most recent years she would often be heard singing songs of praise and songs of her youth with vigor and zest throughout the house from her bedroom, and occasionally caught tipping downstairs at 2:00 A.M., for a bowl of cereal or cookies and milk because she wanted a snack. 

Her generous nature was surpassed by none as she was well known for putting money into the hands of her family and friends. She wanted to make sure they had “something extra” or a “piece of change” in case they needed such.

Ruth Ann transitioned peacefully to join the parents she sorely missed on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Her tasks complete, she earned her wings, put on her robe and walked into the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

She was progenitor of Lisa Marie Duewson Hollingsworth, her daughter and pride-and-joy; Jordan Christian Hollingsworth, the grandson she witnessed being commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Army, and Bella Grace Hollingsworth, the great granddaughter who could do no wrong in her eyes and her mother, Derricka “Dee Dee” Vereen. She doted on each of them individually and collectively and they will carry on her legacy of love.

She leaves her siblings, Charles M. Smith, of Indianapolis, Carolyn J. Hale, of Las Vegas, Nevada and Janet Pack (Garland) of Grayson, Georgia and three generations of nieces and nephews, which include John Hale, Aaron Smith, Paul Smith, Nashon Mays, Matthew Pack, Camille Pack and Michael Pack, a host of great nieces and nephews, extended family members, Larry McMillian, two lifelong friends, Brenda Snorton and Ivaloue Patterson, church family and numerous loved ones who adopted her as their own.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Memorial Park Funeral Home East Braselton Chapel in Braselton, Georgia

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.