Ruth Caroline Smith

Ruth Caroline Webb Smith; July 19, 1926-February 2, 2024
Devoted to and survived by her children: Patricia Anders, Sue Betcher, Lawrence Smith, and Margaret Anderson; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and 2 great, great grandchildren. She also helped to shepherd stepson Ronald Lynn through adolescence. Proceeded in death by brothers Wesley William Webb (2004) and Lee Lawrence Webb (2018) and husband Howard Raymond Smith (2000).
Ruth was born in North Aurelius Township; loved the township and liked to be identified as being from North Aurelius. She Lived on the same farm for her whole life; first settled by her great, great, great, great grandfather in 1837, George B. Webb and Anna Maria Cately. Her parents were Lawrence Guy Webb (1947) and Florence Townsend Clark.
She was active in the township Farm Bureau serving as secretary; the Robbins Methodist Church; Michigan Centennial Farm Organization; Stanton First Congregational Church; and the Derby Lake Association. She served on the Aurelius Township Planning Commission and was the Vice President of the township board.
Ruth worked alongside her husband on the farm for many years, catered farm auction sales, and worked for 33 years as a seed analyst for Michigan Crop Improvement. She was capable of feeding hundreds of people and loved to plan events. Ruth said, "I liked my job, the people and the money."
She loved to do projects. Rebuilt the log house originally built by the pioneers; moved a house across the county; remodeled the cottage at Derby Lake; and made a beautiful home. Built the farm shop, and two barns in the last twenty years.
As a girl, she loved to play softball, as a young adult to water ski, and to drive any vehicle, machinery included. As an adult, she idolized Donald Duck and thought she was a lot like him.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Robbins United Methodist Church with Pastor Janet Shaffer and Rev. Carolin Spragg Officiating. The family will receive friends at Skinner Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to Robbins United Methodist Church, the First Congregational Church of Stanton, or Aurelius Township 4H Club. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com