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Ruth Wallis Smith Nelson

Ruth Wallis Smith Nelson obituary

FUNERAL HOME

Lindsey Funeral Home

226 N 4th Street

Paducah, Kentucky

Ruth Nelson Obituary

KEVIL - Ruth Wallis Smith Nelson, 84, of Kevil, passed away Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, at her residence with her family by her side.

Mrs. Nelson was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church; she had a tremendous love for her church and her family. She worked at Elder Beerman as a customer service representative. Ruth loved to garden, she enjoyed putting puzzles together, and she was an avid reader. She also enjoyed traveling and taking day trips with her sister.

She is survived by her five children, Larry (Michelle) Smith of Panama City Beach, Florida, David (Masami) Smith of Paducah; Lori Winkler of Paducah; Cheryl (Lance) Tyler of Kevil; and Tracy (Donnie) Shreve of Reidland; one sister, Patricia Gray of Paducah; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren soon to be born; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Kenneth Smith and William Nelson; one son-in-law, Mike Winkler; four brothers; one sister; and her parents, Herman Wallis and Merdie Gordon Wallis.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Park Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Barr officiating.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

The family would like to thank Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospice for the wonderful care they provided our mother during her illness. A special thanks to Mary Beth and Becky for their compassionate care.

Online condolences may be left at lindseyfuneral.com.

Lindsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Paducah Sun on Aug. 9, 2025.

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Memorial Events
for Ruth Nelson

Aug

13

Visitation

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Park Avenue Baptist Church

KY

Aug

13

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Park Avenue Baptist Church

KY

Funeral services provided by:

Lindsey Funeral Home

226 N 4th Street, Paducah, KY 42001

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