Ruth Tompkins Smith of Midwest City, OK, died on June 18, 2018, three days after she celebrated her 100th birthday. She was born in Hugo, OK, on June 15, 1918, to Roy and Laura Tompkins. She spent her first 18 years in Durant, OK, and graduated from high school there. She received both her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Oklahoma A & M (now OSU) where she became a member of Chi Omega Sorority, participated in campus activities, and graduated with honors.
Her teaching career in secondary education began in 1939 in Haskell, OK, and led to other Oklahoma schools in Cushing, Oklahoma City, Ponca City, and Midwest City.
In 1946 she married Robert (Bob) Smith when he was discharged from The Army Air Corps after World War II and was employed by GE Supply Corporation. He and Ruth lived in Amarillo, Texas and Tulsa, OK until they co-founded an appliance store (Smith Brown Co.) in Shawnee, OK. In 1951, they opened a second store in Midwest City which became Smith Hardware Company.
Ruth was a homemaker (while helping her husband in their business) until their children were in school. Then she returned to her teaching career as an English teacher in Midwest City High School.
Ruth found joy in friendships that were formed from her activities within various groups: as a member of Wickline United Methodist Church, as a member of P.E.O. (Chapter FF); and as a member of a garden club, book club, Bible study group, and several bridge clubs. She enjoyed entertaining friends informally and hosting family reunions and celebrations. She welcomed leisure time for her passion – reading. She is survived by two children Paul Smith and wife Linda, Oklahoma City; Phyllis Flenniken and husband Clip, Glen Arm, MD; two grandchildren, Shelley Flenniken of Chicago and Skip Flenniken and wife Janet of Phoenix, MD; three great-grandchildren, Kate, Henry, and Miles Flenniken; her sister, Katherine McCollom of Fort Worth, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) T. Smith; her parents, her sister, Rose Mary Duncan, and her son, Mark W. Smith.
A memorial service will be held at Wickline United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in her name, to Wickline United Methodist Church.
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