Obituary: Post-Crescent Newspaper (Appleton, WI) July 29, 2005
Ruth V. Smith, Neenah, age 87, went to her heavenly reward Sunday, July 17, 2005, after a short illness. She was born October 23, 1917 in Pikesville, KY. Her adopted mother, Effie Smith, raised her. Ruth attended school in Waukesha, WI. Upon graduation, she went to DMLC (Dr. Martin Luther College) in New Ulm, MN and became a Christian Day School teacher. She was called to Trinity, Neenah in 1945, where she taught for 34 years.
She is survived by a brother, William Ratliff, Fremont, OH, and many caring friends everywhere.
Her great love and hobby besides her flower garden was corresponding with friends all across the country. Ruth's smiling face, positive attitude and pleasant demeanor will be greatly missed by her friends.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Inurnment will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established to benefit Trinity Lutheran School, Neenah.
WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME
205 W. Doty Ave.
Neenah 722-7151
Additional Information Summarized Below from the article:
The Odyssey of Ruth Smith by Stephen C. Hintz WELS Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 1989
Ruth was not allowed to attend the local public school (located less than 50 yards from the family's log cabin located in the outskirts of Pikesville, Kentucky) because her father (Ransom Ratliff) was "white" and her mother (Polly Mullins Ratliff) was of "mixed blood". Instead, Ruth and her brother (William Ratliff) walked 10 miles each day to attend the "school for the colored."
After the death of Ruth's mother Polly (June 17, 1927), Effie Waller Smith began the process to adopt Ruth. Because of the close friendship that Effie and Polly maintained throughout many years, Polly asked Effie to adopt her daughter Ruth if she were to die.
Ruth and Effie made their home in Wisconsin - first in Waukesha and then in Neenah (Congress Street). With Effie's love and guidance and through many obstacles and hardships, Ruth went on to excel in school and completed college with a degree in 1944. Shortly after graduating, Ruth began her 34-year career as a Christian elementary school teacher at the Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah, Wisconsin where she was instrumental in training generations of children in the "truths of Gods word and in the basic skills of literacy".
Brother:
William Ratliff #116583917
Mother:
Polly (Mullins) Ratliff #79961177
Adopted Mother:
Effie (Waller) Smith #666592
Father:
Ransom Ratliff
Ruth V. Smith, Neenah, age 87, went to her heavenly reward Sunday, July 17, 2005, after a short illness. She was born October 23, 1917 in Pikesville, KY. Her adopted mother, Effie Smith, raised her. Ruth attended school in Waukesha, WI. Upon graduation, she went to DMLC (Dr. Martin Luther College) in New Ulm, MN and became a Christian Day School teacher. She was called to Trinity, Neenah in 1945, where she taught for 34 years.
She is survived by a brother, William Ratliff, Fremont, OH, and many caring friends everywhere.
Her great love and hobby besides her flower garden was corresponding with friends all across the country. Ruth's smiling face, positive attitude and pleasant demeanor will be greatly missed by her friends.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Inurnment will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established to benefit Trinity Lutheran School, Neenah.
WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME
205 W. Doty Ave.
Neenah 722-7151
Additional Information Summarized Below from the article:
The Odyssey of Ruth Smith by Stephen C. Hintz WELS Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 1989
Ruth was not allowed to attend the local public school (located less than 50 yards from the family's log cabin located in the outskirts of Pikesville, Kentucky) because her father (Ransom Ratliff) was "white" and her mother (Polly Mullins Ratliff) was of "mixed blood". Instead, Ruth and her brother (William Ratliff) walked 10 miles each day to attend the "school for the colored."
After the death of Ruth's mother Polly (June 17, 1927), Effie Waller Smith began the process to adopt Ruth. Because of the close friendship that Effie and Polly maintained throughout many years, Polly asked Effie to adopt her daughter Ruth if she were to die.
Ruth and Effie made their home in Wisconsin - first in Waukesha and then in Neenah (Congress Street). With Effie's love and guidance and through many obstacles and hardships, Ruth went on to excel in school and completed college with a degree in 1944. Shortly after graduating, Ruth began her 34-year career as a Christian elementary school teacher at the Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah, Wisconsin where she was instrumental in training generations of children in the "truths of Gods word and in the basic skills of literacy".
Brother:
William Ratliff #116583917
Mother:
Polly (Mullins) Ratliff #79961177
Adopted Mother:
Effie (Waller) Smith #666592
Father:
Ransom Ratliff
Obituary: Post-Crescent Newspaper (Appleton, WI) July 29, 2005
Ruth V. Smith, Neenah, age 87, went to her heavenly reward Sunday, July 17, 2005, after a short illness. She was born October 23, 1917 in Pikesville, KY. Her adopted mother, Effie Smith, raised her. Ruth attended school in Waukesha, WI. Upon graduation, she went to DMLC (Dr. Martin Luther College) in New Ulm, MN and became a Christian Day School teacher. She was called to Trinity, Neenah in 1945, where she taught for 34 years.
She is survived by a brother, William Ratliff, Fremont, OH, and many caring friends everywhere.
Her great love and hobby besides her flower garden was corresponding with friends all across the country. Ruth's smiling face, positive attitude and pleasant demeanor will be greatly missed by her friends.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Inurnment will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established to benefit Trinity Lutheran School, Neenah.
WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME
205 W. Doty Ave.
Neenah 722-7151
Additional Information Summarized Below from the article:
The Odyssey of Ruth Smith by Stephen C. Hintz WELS Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 1989
Ruth was not allowed to attend the local public school (located less than 50 yards from the family's log cabin located in the outskirts of Pikesville, Kentucky) because her father (Ransom Ratliff) was "white" and her mother (Polly Mullins Ratliff) was of "mixed blood". Instead, Ruth and her brother (William Ratliff) walked 10 miles each day to attend the "school for the colored."
After the death of Ruth's mother Polly (June 17, 1927), Effie Waller Smith began the process to adopt Ruth. Because of the close friendship that Effie and Polly maintained throughout many years, Polly asked Effie to adopt her daughter Ruth if she were to die.
Ruth and Effie made their home in Wisconsin - first in Waukesha and then in Neenah (Congress Street). With Effie's love and guidance and through many obstacles and hardships, Ruth went on to excel in school and completed college with a degree in 1944. Shortly after graduating, Ruth began her 34-year career as a Christian elementary school teacher at the Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah, Wisconsin where she was instrumental in training generations of children in the "truths of Gods word and in the basic skills of literacy".
Brother:
William Ratliff #116583917
Mother:
Polly (Mullins) Ratliff #79961177
Adopted Mother:
Effie (Waller) Smith #666592
Father:
Ransom Ratliff
Ruth V. Smith, Neenah, age 87, went to her heavenly reward Sunday, July 17, 2005, after a short illness. She was born October 23, 1917 in Pikesville, KY. Her adopted mother, Effie Smith, raised her. Ruth attended school in Waukesha, WI. Upon graduation, she went to DMLC (Dr. Martin Luther College) in New Ulm, MN and became a Christian Day School teacher. She was called to Trinity, Neenah in 1945, where she taught for 34 years.
She is survived by a brother, William Ratliff, Fremont, OH, and many caring friends everywhere.
Her great love and hobby besides her flower garden was corresponding with friends all across the country. Ruth's smiling face, positive attitude and pleasant demeanor will be greatly missed by her friends.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Inurnment will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established to benefit Trinity Lutheran School, Neenah.
WESTGOR FUNERAL HOME
205 W. Doty Ave.
Neenah 722-7151
Additional Information Summarized Below from the article:
The Odyssey of Ruth Smith by Stephen C. Hintz WELS Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 1989
Ruth was not allowed to attend the local public school (located less than 50 yards from the family's log cabin located in the outskirts of Pikesville, Kentucky) because her father (Ransom Ratliff) was "white" and her mother (Polly Mullins Ratliff) was of "mixed blood". Instead, Ruth and her brother (William Ratliff) walked 10 miles each day to attend the "school for the colored."
After the death of Ruth's mother Polly (June 17, 1927), Effie Waller Smith began the process to adopt Ruth. Because of the close friendship that Effie and Polly maintained throughout many years, Polly asked Effie to adopt her daughter Ruth if she were to die.
Ruth and Effie made their home in Wisconsin - first in Waukesha and then in Neenah (Congress Street). With Effie's love and guidance and through many obstacles and hardships, Ruth went on to excel in school and completed college with a degree in 1944. Shortly after graduating, Ruth began her 34-year career as a Christian elementary school teacher at the Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah, Wisconsin where she was instrumental in training generations of children in the "truths of Gods word and in the basic skills of literacy".
Brother:
William Ratliff #116583917
Mother:
Polly (Mullins) Ratliff #79961177
Adopted Mother:
Effie (Waller) Smith #666592
Father:
Ransom Ratliff
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