Ruth Rachel Gardner Smith, 98 ½, of Rt. 338, Emlenton, in the Village of Turkey City, Richland Twp., Clarion County, was carried to heaven Monday morning, October 12, 2015 in Clarion. Ruth had been one of Turkey City’s longest living residents.

Ruth was born February 11, 1917 in Turkey City to the late Clarence Albert Gardner and Pearl Grace Klingler Gardner. She was a 1935 graduate of St. Petersburg-Richland Twp. Consolidated High School where she played basketball, played the drums, and took part in plays, singing and dancing. She was married on November 3, 1938 in St. Petersburg to Willis Doney “Bill” Smith. Mr. Smith preceded her in death on May 11, 1975.

Ruth was of the Protestant faith. She was a homemaker, and enjoyed cooking, baking and quilting. Ruth belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #426 Emlenton and later the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #60 Parker City. She received her fifty year membership pin in 2002. Ruth was always a good cheerleader at her granddaughter Sarah’s softball games, and always looked forward to attending the games, both home and away. She also enjoyed attending her grandson Andy’s basketball and baseball games. In her nineties, she rode in a bus to Coudersport and climbed the bleachers for Andy’s last basketball game.

She is survived by two daughters, Johanna K. “Hutch” Dehart, and her husband, Fred, of Emlenton, Nancy Faye Smith Anderson of Turkey City; and a son William Doney “Billy” Smith Jr. and his wife, Betty, of Saint Petersburg; five grandchildren, Michael Fred Dehart and his wife, Tina, of Emlenton, Michelle Johanna Hepfl and her husband, Steve, of Emlenton, Melanie Ann Frederick and her husband, David, of Lawrenceburg, KY, Sarah Elizabeth Nettles and her husband, Chuck, of Pittsburgh, and Andrew David Smith, of Pittsburgh; six great-grandchildren, Anna, Ben, Nicholas, Megan, Michala, and Rebecca; a great-great-grandson, Emmett; several cousins; and her good neighbors, Laura and Andy Miller.

Those who have gone on to heaven include, her parents, “Gram” and “Pup”, her husband, Bill Smith, a daughter Lori Annette Smith, a special son-in-law, Bill “Match” Anderson, a brother and sister-in-law, Arthur Fay Gardner and his wife Pauline, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 802 Grove Street, Saint Petersburg from 4-8 p.m. Friday and on Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at the Turkey City Church of God, 479 Turkey Hill Road, Turkey City. A funeral service will follow from the church at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Thomas Hannold, a Church of God pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Monroe Cemetery, Beaver Twp., Clarion County. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Smith’s name may be sent to the Turkey City Church of God, 479 Turkey Hill Road, Turkey City, PA 16058. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #60 Parker City will conduct a memorial service for Ruth Gardner Smith at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hile Funeral Home, 802 Grove Street, Saint Petersburg.