Ruby Smith Earl

Earl, Ruby Smith—age 79, joined the Heavenly choir at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2003. She was of the Primitive Baptist Faith. Born in Goin, TN in 1924 to William and Betsy Hampton Howard Smith. A natural musician, she appeared with her family in the December 1943 issue of National Geographic and performed with her niece Dossie Watson on the “Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour” in the early 1950s. Known locally in recent years as “Ms. Ruby,” she played bluegrass music at several area open microphones. The family extends a special thank you to her physicians, Dr. Hookman, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Doty and Dr. Herschen, and the members of the Statcare Pulmonary Group, Dr. Pierce Alexander, and to the nurses and respiratory therapists of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Hillcrest North.

Preceded in death by husband, Jefferson Davis Earl; parents; 7 brothers; and 6 sisters.

Survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Martha Earl and Walter Gawryla, and Jill Earl and Keith Matthews, all of Knoxville; daughter, Susan Earl of Nashville; ex-son-law, Ed Borum; grandchildren, Kara Borum and Frank Gawryla; sisters, Cora Sherrod of Kokomo, IN, Ruth Collins and husband Carl of New Tazewell; niece, Dossie Watson of Knoxville; nephew, Buddy Watson of Knoxville; cat, Nay-Nay; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, 4708 Papermill Road, Knoxville 37909 or the American Lung Association, 212 S. Peters Road, Knoxville 37923.

Funeral service 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Stevens Chapel with Elder D.R. Cabbage, Elder John Robbins, and Rev. Robert H. Bean officiating.

Family and friends will meet 1:45 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Cemetery for a 2:00 p.m. graveside service and interment.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at Broadway.