Memorials › Ruth Harwood Parkhill Smith

Ruth Harwood Parkhill Smith

4 Dec 1926 – 28 Jul 2007

Birth	4 Dec 1926
Death	28 Jul 2007
Added by	Beverly on 03 Feb 2014
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84929757

Bio

Ruth Parkhill Smith Good Samaritan December 4, 1926 ~ July 28, 2007 Ruth Parkhill Smith, 80, was blessed by God with a peaceful passing on Saturday at her Atwater home in the loving care of her husband, Billy D, and her family. She was born December 4, 1926 to Gordon and Miriam Parkhill in Bryan, Texas . On November 25, 1948 she married Billy D Smith in the Methodist Church of Lubbock, Texas, and then raised four children as a military wife, living in Texas, North Dakota, California, Guam, and Ohio. She was excited being the wife of an Air Force officer because she thought it would allow her the opportunity to "see the world." The first nine years of their military life were spent right there in Lubbock, Texas, with their first orders sending them just down the road to Abilene, Texas. Ruth loved to joke about "how much of the world" she saw those first twelve years. Ruth and Bill retired in Atwater in 1974 to be near their first-born grandchild. Ruth loved the simple pleasures of life and took great pride in her Texas raising, where she learned her oft-noted trait of friendliness. She always said that she'd never met a stranger, and would gladly strike up a friendly conversation with anyone. Ruth had faith in God and was always a positive, giving, kind, accepting, and genuine person. Ruth had many friends whom she dearly loved. She was an avid Bridge player, earning nearly enough points to become a life master. Ruth was a loving wife and a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a mother, she wanted only happiness for her children. She was proud of the tight budget she kept that provided a fishing boat for her husband and college educations for their children. She was a fun person who enjoyed her friends, Bridge, traveling, camping, watching football, cracking walnuts, socializing, reading, pulling weeds, front porches, neighbors, sewing, playing solitaire, doing crossword puzzles, and being with her family. She graduated from Lubbock High School and attended Texas State College for Women and Texas Tech University, where she liked to say she earned her "MRS." Degree. She was involved with local Bridge Clubs since the 1960's, volunteered for the Officers' Wives Club, served as Room Mother and Girl Scout Leader for her children, and was instrumental in the start-up of the local Alzheimer's Association nearly thirty years ago. Ruth leaves behind her very devoted husband of 58 years, Billy D Smith, three children, Robert Smith (Geralin) of Ballico, CA, Richard Smith (Jeen) of Clovis, CA, and Beverly Wigley (Chris) of Atwater, CA, four grandchildren, Oz Smith (Misty), Khyla Smith (Garrett Christopherson), Ry Smith, and Jeromy Smith (Vanna), seven great-grandchildren, Macie, Oztin, Cassie, Sierra, Gavin, Jada, Owen, her brother, Gordon "Buzz" Parkhill (Ellen), of San Antonio, TX, her sister, Jean Waller, of Shreveport, LA, and a very close extended family spanning five generations, all of whom loved her, will miss her, and hope to carry on her legacy of kindness toward others. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Smith, in January of this year. When asked how she would like to be remembered, she said to tell everyone that "she had a good time." Her family asks that any contributions in her memory be made to either your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association or the national Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633 (alz.org). Memorial Services celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, August 2nd at 4:00 p.m. at the Wilson Family Funeral Chapel in Atwater, CA