Ruth Smith Mitchell

Ruth (Fairbanks) Smith Mitchell went home to be with the Lord 13 April, 2016, in Jacksonville, FL. She was born September 28, 1921, in Louisa, Virginia, the only daughter of Herbert Smith, MD, and Ruth Clay Smith, RN, of Calvary, GA. Ruth Mitchell grew up in Calvary, GA, and attended Attapulgus High School and later Cairo High School, where, at the towering height of 5'2", she played varsity basketball. Ruth went on to attend Bessie Tift College in Forsyth, but transferred to Florida State College for Women, where she received her BA. Years later, she returned to to FSU to get her PhD in Educational Psychology. She was one dissertation shy of a second PhD.

Ruth married William E. Mitchell, ThD, of Smithville, GA, on December 23, 1946. She complemented his pastoral ministry, serving as church pianist and in numerous other capacities. Later, she became the first school psychologist of Muscogee County, GA. She served as a guidance counselor at Leon High School, and became the Head of
Guidance for the Leon County School System for several years.

Gmom trained to be a harpist as an adult. She was also a consummate cook and a skilled cake decorator. She once baked ten separate cakes for one wedding! She was also an appreciator of sacred music, an excellent seamstress, and was gifted in needlepoint, tatting, embroidery, re-caning furniture, and multiple other hand crafts.

Gmom loved adventure. "There's not a train I wouldn't take, no matter where it's going". She also enjoyed modern technology. After a Skype session with her greatgrandchildren, she would head back to bed, saying, "You can have the good ol'days!"

Gmom was a member of East Hill Baptist Church, a charter member of the Tallahassee Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Gmom also had a huge heart. She was quite concerned about the needs of others, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She led or assisted in numerous food drives, and she frequently asked, "Who in the church is in need?"

Ruth was predeceased by her two brothers, Herbert C. Smith, of Gulfport, MS, and James H. Smith, of Liberal, KS. She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine Shelfer, of Jacksonville, FL, and Susan (& Mike) McCrary of Fairhope, AL, and by her son, Daniel Fairbanks (& Teal) Mitchell, of Thomasville, GA, five grandchildren (Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL, and Greenville, SC), and five great-grandchildren, all in Greenville, SC.

Contributions can be made to:
-Tallahassee Area Chapter of One Hundred Black Men of America at https://donate.makemydonation.org/donate/593058767
Fairbanks Family in America 511 East St. Dedham, Ma. 020026
http://www.fairbankshouse.org/store/items/sp2-donations.html
- Fairbanks Family in America, 511 East St., Dedham, MA, 02026

A celebration of the life of Gmom will be held on May 7, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Christ Community Presbyterian Church, 1040 Glenwood Drive, Thomasville, Ga. The family will receive friends after the service at the church.