Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Caviness Smith

Ruth loved working in her yard and flowers, where many people came from far away to admire. An avid antique collector, cheese dishes were her favorite; she never missed an opportunity to go antique shopping. She played basketball for Staley School where she was the 1947 MVP. She went on to play basketball for The Liberty Hosiery Mill Team. She was a big Carolina basketball fan. There was no larger presence in the Randolph County Republican Party than Ruth Smith. She contributed to many campaigns, not only monetarily but also by working at the polls, putting out signs, recruiting voters and carrying people to vote. A few campaigns she worked on through the years were, Arlie Culp, Pam and Jimmy Hill, Richard Petty, Litchard Hurley, Robert Mason, Maynard Reid, Greg Seabolt, and Donald J. Trump.

She was the baby daughter of the late Ed Zimmerman and Rolela May Haithcox Caviness and was also preceded in death by her husband, Elbridge “Smitty” Smith; two great-grandchildren, Malik Herbert and Alexis Herbert; brothers, Armp Caviness; Frank “Doc” Caviness, Howard Caviness, and Edgar Caviness; sisters, Ola Stevens, Edith Smith and Leora Smith.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Brenda Richardson (Charles); sons, Bobby Johnson (Teresa) and Charley Johnson; grandchildren, Kristen Johnson, Jamie Hiatt, Devin Johnson, Eric Johnson, Adam Johnson and Joann Smith; great-grandchildren, Mikayla Hiatt, Jasmine Hiatt, Glenn “Bubba” Hiatt, Harper Johnson, Elliot Johnson, Kash Johnson and Isla Johnson; great-great-grandson, Zayden Willard, “adopted daughter”, Rachel Greene; daughter-in-law, Margaret Johnson; and her cat, Baby.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 7103 Sandy Creek Church Road, Staley, NC and other times at Ruth’s home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. She will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in Liberty, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Randolph County GOP, PO Box 517, Asheboro, NC 27204 or Happy Hills Animal Foundation, 3143 Happy Hills Drive, Staley, NC 27355.

Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.

Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve Ruth’s family.