The Rev. Dr. Ruth Mary Smith, 81, of Bear Creek, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Allied Services Center City, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre and raised in Bear Creek, Ruth also resided in Glen Burnie, Md., Chester, Md., and briefly in Buckeye, Ariz. She was the daughter of James E. and Ruth (Williams) Smith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James W. Smith.
She is survived her by sister, Shirley Trievel and her husband, Barry, Bear Creek Twp. She had eight nieces and nephews.
Ruth was a 1959 graduate of James M. Coughlin High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, in 1963.
She continued her education and earned a Master of Science degree in counseling at the University of Scranton in 1968, followed by a Master of Divinity from Anderson University School of Theology, Ind., in 1980. She achieved a Doctor of Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1992.
She completed the Spiritual Directors Certificate Program at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Washington DC, in 1989 and did additional graduate studies at Lehigh University, Temple University and Penn State University.
Ruth was a high school chemistry and biology teacher in the East Penn Union School District, Emmaus, from 1963-1979. She became pastor of the Community Church of God, Glen Burnie, Md., in 1980. More recently, from 1992 until her retirement, Ruth served as a hospital chaplain, with the Hospice Network of Maryland.
Ruth was an outstanding athlete at Coughlin and at Muhlenberg College, becoming a member of the Mules’ Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1981. She once rode her bicycle across the country, New Jersey to California. Ruth loved the outdoors and did a lot of hiking and backpacking, including through areas of Alaska. She enjoyed deer hunting, skiing, biking, target/skeet shooting and was an avid golfer, for decades.
As a pastor in Glen Burnie, Ruth served a small mission church, which soon experienced rapid membership growth and led her to coordinate the building of a 6,000 square foot church, which managed to pay off its mortgage in three years. She served on numerous boards and committees at local, regional and national levels.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the second-floor nurses and staff at Allied Services Center City Skilled Nursing for their professional care and compassion provided to Ruth.
Arrangements have been provided by Harold C. Snowdon Home for Funerals Inc., Kingston. Services will be private, at the convenience of family. Memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA.
Published by Citizens Voice on Jul. 16, 2022.
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