Ruth Ann Smith, 73 of Newark died on September 29, 2021. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, she was a daughter of the late Mildred and Otis Green. She was a loving Mama to her daughters and a beloved Gigi to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. She was a good companion and friend to many, but especially to members of her card-playing groups and her church.

Her faith was formed as a child by loving and devout parents in the Lutheran Church. Her faith continued to grow, and she modeled Christian living throughout her life.

Ruth lived a life full of positive energy and optimism. She always had an encouraging word and was a wonderful listener. She gave freely of herself and required nothing in return – no conditions or demands – but she did love a thank you note!

Her giving and nurturing personality led her to a career in nursing. She graduated from Hahnemann University Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA, in 1971. She brought a deep dedication to others, an abundant sense of responsibility, an organized mind, and a famous devotion to cleanliness to her career choice. She held positions in women’s health care, private physician’s offices, private duty nursing care and hospitals. Her varied nursing career in Wilmington included practice at Bullocks, James Walker, Babies and Cape Fear Memorial Hospitals. She retired as Director of Surgical Services from Cape Fear Memorial Hospital after 29 years of hard, rewarding work.

Ruth will be remembered for her loving of her home in Newark, New Jersey. Though she spent years living in the South; her heart remained in New Jersey

The gifts she has bestowed on us – her legacy – are resilience, integrity, persistence, faith, patience, and kindness. She had a sense of adventure that did not wane with age.

We will miss Ruth everyday but will always treasure and emulate these wonderful gifts for the remainder of our lives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony W. Smith, a daughter, Mildred Ruth. Survivors include her two daughters, Brenda Gross (Nick) and Betty Jo Bennett (Bill); grandchildren, Robery Gross (Makayla), Rye Gross (Abbygail), Jerome Jones (Julia) and Brianna ; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Jayden and Tristan; step-grandchildren, Michael Coombs (Amy) and their children, Christopher and Zachary, Giovanni Crable (Jenna) and their children, Adrian, Jacob, Myah and Isaac, and Amirah.