Ruby (Harden) Smith

Celebration of Life

Mrs. Ruby "Doll" Smith

Obituary

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and I prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive ye unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  John 14: 1-3

Mrs. Ruby Harden Smith, affectionately known as “Doll” , “Baby Doll”, or “Aunt Doll” to everyone, was born on October 10, 1928, in Devereux Georgia, to the late Mark and Mary Flagg Harden and Charlie Rhodes, Sr.

Doll departed this earthly life and transitioned to her heavenly home on Monday, September 19, 2022, at her residence in Sparta, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her late husband, James “Smitty” Smith; her brothers, Wallace, Jessie, Mark, and Nicodemus Harden; sisters, Mary Harden Harris and Jesse Bell Evans; her children Faye Smith, William Harden, Melvin Smith, Mamie Smith, Benny Harden, and Diane Roach; son-n-law, Robert Roach; a beloved niece, Ruth Chatman; sisters, Gladys Moore, Lillie Ingram, Mattie Hendricks; brothers, Charlie Rhodes, Jr., Obilee Rhodes, William Henry, and Carl Rhodes, Sr.   

She attended L.S. Ingraham High where she was an awesome student.  Ruby was a woman of God and she loved attending St. Mark A.M.E. Church faithfully until her health started to decline. Also, she was Past Grand Worthy Matron of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Stars (OES), Jurisdiction of Georgia. She was a member of the Blue-Ribbon Christmas Savings Club.

Doll always stayed on the go. In her early years, she worked in the cafeteria at Hancock Central High School. She worked as a nursing assistant at Providence Health Care for many years. She enjoyed going on family trips and attending family gatherings. She was a pillar of the Hunts Hill Community for more than 75 years.

Doll was a devoted wife, a dedicated caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as “Grandma” or “Grandma Doll.” She had a vivacious and caring spirit and always made people she met feel loved and welcomed.

Doll leaves to cherish and celebrate her life: one daughter, Bettye (Bobby) Richardson of Sparta, Georgia; two sons, Marvin (Angela) Smith of Sparta, Georgia, and Dwight (Cherylen) Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio; two daughters in law, Vernell Smith and Bernestine Harden of Sparta, Georgia; 25 grandchildren, 21 great children, 1 great-great grandchild; one brother, Eugene Rhodes, of Atlanta, Georgia; one sister, Ella M. Rhodes Trawick of Sparta, Georgia; and a special friend, Shelia Reynolds, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Public Visitation is on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Ingram Brothers Chapel.  Services will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022 @ 1:00pm St. Mark AME Church, 124 St Mark Rd, Sparta, Georgia 31087.

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