Ruth Marie Smithheart

Ruth Marie Smithheart passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 92. Born in Port Acres, TX, she graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School, moved to Houston, TX and started a career as an operator with Southern Bell. It is here in 1953 that she would meet the love of her life, Major Burl Smithheart of the US Air Force. They were married in 1955 and began their 70 year long journey together.

She traveled the world, compliments of the Air Force, seeing the sights and experiencing the cultures of distant lands. It is through these travels that she bestowed upon her children the value of experience and knowledge that, in the end, no matter where, or who you are, all human beings are deserving of respect and honor for being one of God’s Children. Finally planting her roots in Merritt Island, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cocoa for over 55 years, taught and played piano for Sunday School, was a member of the handbell choir and a founding member of the Historic Derby Street Chapel Committee. She was very active in the local school system as a substitute teacher, school nurse and secretary. Her real passion was dancing. She always wanted to be a Rockette, but just wasn’t tall enough, so, she joined the Tommy Vance Dancers at the local Senior Center and danced for nearly 40 years bringing joy to many.

She is survived by her loving family: her dedicated husband of 70 years, Burl Smithheart, of Merritt Island, FL; children, Patricia Holloway (Dan) of Atlantic Beach, FL, Timothy Smithheart (Michelle) of Leesburg, GA, and Carrie Smithheart (Kristin Gallup) of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren Amanda Holloway Briggs (Scotty), Stephanie Carr (Owen); David Holloway (Djitu), Jeremy Smithheart (Hannah) and Susan DeCotis (Casey); great grandchildren, Thomas, Alex and Scarlett. She was preceded in death by her father, Leon Cole Lewis, mother Addie Mae Lewis, brothers, Leon Cole (Brub) Lewis Jr. and Robert Pete (Teedle) Lewis; sisters Annie Pauline (Auntie) Whiteley, Betty Brown, and Helen Taylor. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was a loving Wife and Mother that will forever be remembered as dancing to her own tune and touching the lives of all that were blessed to have known her. She was an Angel sent to us from God, now glorified in His loving arms.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on March 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Cocoa, 750 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa, Florida 32922. A reception will directly follow the service and be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall.