Ruth Irene Smith

Ruth I. (McCrea) Smith, 85, of Blairsville, PA (Blacklick Twp.) passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022 at her home.

The daughter of John T. and Geraldine (Marshall) McCrea, she was born August 31, 1937 in Blacklick Township, PA.

Ruth graduated from Blairsville High School, Class of 1955. She worked for Blacklick Township for 30 years until her retirement on December 1, 2016 and was recognized by the township for her service with a plaque. She lived her entire life in Blacklick Township and was well known for making sheet and wedding cakes. One of Ruth’s favorite pastimes was ornamental needle work.

Surviving is her husband of 64 years, John E. Smith, whom she married December 28, 1957; three sons, Jeffrey C. (Debbie) Smith of Chester, VA, Eric John (Elaine) Smith of Penn Run, and Jason A. (Shannon) Smith of Shepherd, MT; one daughter, Sandra R. (Susan) Smith of Scranton, PA; four grandchildren, Ben, Samuel, Grace and Robert; two great grandchildren, Koen and Malachi; five sisters, Jacquelyn Cunkleman of Blairsville, Doris Jean (Bill) Ramsden, Margaret Babco of Blairsville, Donna (Terry) Griffith of Indiana and Gayle (Gregory) Sickora of Latrobe; two brothers, William M. McCrea of Homer City and Robert C. (La Donna) McCrea of Blairsville; one sister-in-law, Shirley Jean Rook of Blairsville and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Frances Marsh and her brother-in-law, Richard Smith.

Family and friends will be received on Friday November 25th from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday November 26th at 11:00 AM in the funeral home, with her son, Jeff Smith and Pastor Dawn Krishart will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions made in Ruth's memory to Jeff Smith Ministries , 6420 Glebe Point Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23838.

Interment will be in the Blairsville Cemetery.