Ruby Jones Smith
Ruby Lucille Smith, 94, of Nobob, Kentucky, died February 3, 2012 at Magnolia Village in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
She was affectionately known as “Mrs. Smith” or “Miss Ruby”. She was the second of eight children born to Ira and Myrtie Olive Jones.
Kenneth C. Smith, her husband, preceded her in death as have her parents, brothers Clifton Jones of Nobob, Kentucky, Kenneth Jones of Nobob, Kentucky, who was killed during his military service in the Korean War, James Brent Jones of Glendale, Kentucky and her sisters, Gladys Pace of Nobob, Kentucky and Roxie Arterburn of Glasgow, Kentucky.
She is survived by her sister, Alma Jones of Glasgow, Kentucky and her brother, Thomas Jones and his wife, Mary Lou, of Nobob, Kentucky, and her brother-in-law Ferrell Arterburn, the husband of her departed sister Roxie Arterburn, of Glasgow, Kentucky. She is survived by her son, Kenneth C. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Cynthia of Bowling Green, Kentucky and by her daughter, Corma Cameron and her husband, Mike, of Beaumont, Texas. She is survived by her granddaughter, Jaclyn Lauderback, and her husband, Jason of Chicago, Illinois, and her great-granddaughter, Chloe Anne Lauderback of Chicago, Illinois and her great-grandson Parker Jonathon Lauderback of Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and cousins.
She leaves many dear friends whom she adopted as family. She had a pure, true loving heart and kept countless people in prayer daily.
Ruby devoted her time to over twenty charitable, civic, educational, religious and political organizations on the local, regional and state levels, known for her love and commitment to the Lord, family, community and country.
Accomplishments and Organizations:
Received Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Secondary Education, with honors, from Western Kentucky State Teachers College in 1943;
Received Masters in Library Science, with honors, from Western Kentucky University 1966;
Teacher of grades 1-8 in one-room school at Holly Hill, Nobob Kentucky, 1929-31;
Teacher Barren County, Kentucky, in one-room schools, 1941-42;
Teacher secondary schools English and Librarian Temple Hill Consolidated School, Temple Hill, Kentucky, 1943-47, 1949-51, 1953-56;
Temple Hill Consolidated School Librarian, 1956-83 retired;
Barren County High School Part-time Librarian;
NEA (Life Member);
Kentucky Educational Association;
Kentucky School Media Association (Secretary 1970-71);
Barren County Education Association (President 1960-62, Treasurer
1979-80);
3d District Retired Teachers Association (President 1991-92);
Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (Vice President 1992-93, President-elect 1993-94, President 1994-95);
Glasgow-Barren County Retired Teachers Association (President 1984-86, 1996-98, Secretary 1989, Treasurer 1990);
3d District Library Association (President 1944, 1966);
Kentucky Library Trustee Association (Board of Directors 1985-98, President
1986-88, 1993-95, Director Barren River Region 1985-97);
Kentucky Library Association;
Trustee Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library, 1964-2004;
Barren County Public Library Board, 1969-2001;
Secretary Barren County Public Library Board, 1969-2001;
Held various positions in Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe County for over fifty years;
Secretary/Treasurer of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe County, 1979-2004;
Monroe Baptist Association Woman’s Missionary Union (Director 1968-72, 1979-83, Secretary 1985-98);
Monroe Baptist Association (Librarian, Director 1972-88);
Coordinator AARP Tax Aide Program, 1985-88, District Director AARP Tax Aide Program, 1988-2000, local Chapter Vice President, 1996-98, President, 1999-2000;
Instructor for AARP 55 Alive Mature Driving, 1993-2004;
Board of Directors, Barren County Historical Foundation, Inc. (South Central Kentucky Cultural Center), 1997-2004;
South Central Historical and Genealogical Society (Vice President 1997-98, President (1998-2000);
Trustee Barren County Historical Foundation, 1996-2004;
Secretary Barren County Cancer Society, 1968-70;
Barren County Fair Board, 1969-70;
Leader 4-H Club, 1957-72;
Barren County Republican Women’s Club;
DAR (Member 1997-2012, Edmund Rogers Chapter, Chaplain Edmund Rogers Chapter 1998-2004);
Delta Kappa Gamma (President Delta Chapter 1996-98);
Recipient of Commission for Kentucky Colonel and Earnie Award;
Worked with Sarah Ann Bowers in successful campaign to have Highway 163 renamed the John Muir Highway; and
Assisted Cecil Goode with his various publications concerning local families.
The funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 and visitation will be from 2:00-7:00 P.M. on Monday, February 6, 2012 at Hatcher and Saddler Funeral Home, 801 N. Race Street, Glasgow Kentucky, telephone: (270) 651-8821. Interment will be at Summer Shade Cemetery, Summer Shade, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barren County Public Library, Glasgow, Kentucky.
Corma,
I wanted to express my sympathy on the loss of your Mom. She was a wonderful woman, admired for her spirit and dedicaton to excellence. You and your brother have been very blessed having her as your Mother. Those of us who got to know her, were much better for the experience.
Donita Huff
I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. You were blessed to have her in your life. I lost my mom in September 2010. We have both been blessed to have many precious memories of our mothers. Take care.
Jane Bowman Hammer
Mrs. Smith gave all her students so much and we all share your loss. She was a wonderful teacher and mentor. So many memories keep coming into my mind every time I think of her. I remember Corma saying we would not be able to sneak her family into a banquet hall to be there when she was surprised with the Outstanding Librarian Award at the Kenucky Library Association one year. Corma was so right. Mrs. Smith arranged her seat so she would not miss anyone coming in the door. She is watching heaven’s gate now and seeing everyone coming in. My condolences to all your family and know how much your mother meant to so many people.
First, my apology for being “months” late with this. At times, I will log on the KY paper. A few years ago, I brought an Aunt, by marriage, to visit in the Summer Shade, KY area. She is Sarah Amanda Miller McAhren. Her father was Benton Miller. I believe that she and your Mother maybe attended the same school, or were neighbors. We stayed with your Mother, and had a delightful time. Her intelligence amazed me…she was so interesting to be in the company of. This Aunt is still living, at the age of 96, and has been in a nursing facility for eight years. Mentally, not too bad, but physically not! She often speaks of “Ruby Jones Smith”, but of course we had no idea about her, even with the the wonderful world of computers I can now tell her about “Ruby Jones Smith”, as she always referred to her.Your Mother even planned “an outing” at McDonalds for classmates of Aunt Sarah. It was a privilege to have met this lady. Blessings, Martha Goings, Noblesville, IN.