Ruth Yvonne Smith

Ruth was born and raised in Southern California to Clarence and Dorothy Swaim on September 14, 1937. She grew up with her older brother, Paul, and attended schools in Bell Gardens, Maywood, and Bell, California. She then attended Nazarene College in Pasadena, California, where she met Raymond Smith in the cafeteria. They were soon married on December 26, 1958. They were married 67 years. During that time, she worked for an insurance company, where she mastered herself in spelling, reading, and grammar. She loved music and sang in choirs, both in school and church. She would sometimes sing solos for her church here in Grand Junction at the Nazarene Church. Ruth also attended nursing school and went on to become a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Most importantly, she was a wonderful, gentle and kind Mother and Grandmother. She always knew where her kids were and what they were doing, and she never missed an activity or sporting event that she didn't have her score book in her hand.

Ruth is preceded in death by her Father, Clarence, Brother, Paul, and Mother, Dorothy.

Ruth is survived by her Spouse, Raymond Smith; son, David Smith (Kim); and Daughter, Diane DeRush (Gary); five Grandchildren, Jesse Smith, Cory DeRush (Brittany), Natalie Lakey (Ryan), Derek DeRush, Tawni Smith, and three great-Grandchildren, Stryker Lakey, Daphne DeRush, and Easton Lakey.

Pallbearers will be David, Gary, Jesse, Cory, and Derek

A Funeral Service will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory, 2515 Patterson Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81505, US, on March 10, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am.

A Graveside Service will be held at Grand Junction Memorial Gardens, 2970 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81504, US, on March 10, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.