Ruth Holt Southern

Ruth Arlene Holt Southern
February 3, 1921 - June 5, 2013
Smithfield
Ruth Arlene Holt Southern, 92, died June 5, 2013 after a 12 year battle with dementia at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community where she had lived for the past six years. Born in Princeton, NC on February 3, 1921 to the late Clifton G. Holt and Gulielma Grantham Holt, she was predeceased by her two siblings, N. Graham Holt and Velma E. Holt.
A memorial service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
Ruth graduated from Princeton High School and then from The Woman's College of NC (UNC-G), later attending UNC-Chapel Hill's Library Science School. She taught public school in NC for 35 years, chiefly in Johnston County. Harvey and Ruth married in 1953 and moved to Smithfield in 1956. Harvey died in 1988 and Ruth remained in their home until illness forced her to relocate. A lifelong Methodist, she was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield, where she was active in a variety of ministries including the UMW and Contact Teleministry. She was also active in the DAR and other community organizations.
Survivors include her sons: Gray and his wife, Susan, and Mark, as well as her grandchildren, Graysan Kirk, Mary-Gray, and Marcus.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church Emergency Help Fund, 140 E. Market St., Smithfield, NC 27577.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.underwoodfh.com.