Ruth Viola Smith

Ruth Viola Carney Smith decided to visit “the prettiest beds of flowers blooming by the prettiest streets our eyes shall e’er behold” on April 2, 2020. She shared a love of her Lord and Savior Jesus and the gospel music that praised Him with her parents the late Reverend John and Mellie Carney. While she was born in Murray, Arkansas, on March 27, 1935, it was in Kansas City MO that she met and married the love of her life, Velbert (Smitty) Smith Sr. Their children: Dana Gann(Steve) of Russellville; Velbert Smith Jr(Darlene) of San Bernardino CA; Valerie Allman, Russellville; Benny Smith(Ruth) of Van Buren; provided Ruth with the joy of her life, her grandchildren: Mary Patterson(Forrest) Houston Tx; Joshua Smith(Jennifer) Rancho Cucamonga CA; Melissa Stone(Nick) Russellville; Carl Gann, Russellville; Chelsey Horn(Ryan) Russellville; Chris Acevedo of Japan; Fatima and Kevin Cortez of Van Buren. Her greatest treasures were her great grandchildren Madylen and Emersyn Smith and Karis Wolcott. In addition to her parents, Ruth will be greeted at heaven’s gate by her sisters Floy Willis and Juanita Harderson, nephews Larry and Garry Carney, and son in law Mark Allman. Those that will be missing Ruth’s cooking at the next Carney Family Reunion will be her sister Nola Williams(Jerry) Nail AR; and her brothers Doyle Carney(Laura) Nail AR; Virl Carney(Betty) Nail AR;  Mirl Carney(Mary) of Kansas City, KS; Delbert Carney(Linda) of Atkins; Limon Carney(Carolyn) of Springdale AR, and a host of nieces and nephews  and anyone who ever called her Granny, Momma Ruth, or Aunt Ruth. There will be a celebration of her life at the Carney Reunion in September. While Covid19 was not involved in her passing, it has unfortunately limited her burial at the Nail Cemetery to immediate family only. For those of you hunters and outdoorsman who were ever out-hunted, out-fished and or missed a shot that she made (and there were many) consider her your guardian angel the next time you go hunting. Because she was such an avid gardener, in lieu of flowers the family asks that you plant your favorite perennial flower, then smile when it blooms and reminds you of Ruth.  Private family graveside service and burial are under the direction of Russellville Family Funeral.  Online guestbook and obituary are available at www.russellvillefamilyfuneral.com.