Ruth J. (Hall) Smith

Ruth Joyce Smith, age 94, lifetime resident of Olmsted Falls, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The daughter of the late Harold Hall and Joyce Hall, she was the loving wife of James C. Smith for almost 45 years. Ruth was a graduate of Olmsted Falls High School Class of 1945, and actively supported the school as an alumna throughout her life. In 1948, she became “Nurse Ruth,” and served her community at Southwest General and Stoney Hill Nursing Home until retiring from Southwest in 1984.

Ruth was an avid square dancer, and she and her husband were very involved in the Olmsteders Square Dance Club. She had a passion for gardening and loved cardinals. She was known for her sharp wit, loving heart, and unfiltered point of view—which contributed to her nickname of “Sarge” from those that loved her the most.

Surviving are her children, two daughters, Debbie Payne and Vickie McDonald, and a son, Ronald J Smith (Kindra). In addition to being a beloved Mother, she was also the beloved Grandmother of Shanna Tokarsky (Jeremie), Ryan Smith (Stephanie), Justin Payne (Erin), Britta Hough (Tom), Kyle McDonald (Nicolle Marin), Kent McDonald (Jenny Wilson), Garret Smith (Lauren Jessup) and Great-Grandmother to 11.5 more!

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 22 at 1pm at Olmsted Community Church, 7853 Main Street, Olmsted Falls, Ohio 44138 with a reception following at 2pm at The Bistro on the Falls 8134 Columbia Road also in Olmsted Falls. A private interment will be held for the family at the Old Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made payable to Hospice of the Western Reserve (Ames House in memory of Ruth Smith) 17876 Saint Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44110 or by this link: Ways to Give - One-time/Memorial Donations: Donate (onecause.com)

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