Ruth Henrietta Smith

RUTH LANG SMITH (1914-2011)
Ruth Lang Smith, widow of the late Dr. Alan B. Smith, former pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church in Osawatomie, died in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 18, 2011 at the
age of 96. Mrs. Smith was born on December 16, 1914 in Plevna, Kansas. After high school, she
attended Bethany-Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University) where she was editor of
the student newspaper and Valedictorian of her graduating class. While in college, she met Alan
B. Smith; and the two were married shortly after graduation on August 14, 1938 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

In the mid 1960s, Mrs. Smith returned to school and received a Masters Degree in
Education from Emporia State University. She then embarked upon a decade’s long career as
a teacher. Although she taught math and science at every level, she always maintained that the
best education took place in her first post – a one-room country schoolhouse. After her
husband’s death in 2000, Mrs. Smith moved to Baltimore, Maryland to be close to her son and
his family.

A wonderful and talented keyboard player, Mrs. Smith joined her husband in many
chamber music performances and taught generations of piano and organ students. Her favorite
performing group was the Kansas City Chorale. In the early 1980s, Dr. Smith was pastor of a
three point parish, including the Osawatomie, Rantoul, and Miami Presbyterian Churches; and
Mrs. Smith played organ in all three churches. She particularly enjoyed her participation in the
womens quilting group at the Miami church.

She is survived by her son, Norman Lang Smith and his wife, Rona, of Stevenson,
Maryland, step-grandchildren Adam Goldsmith and Julie Goldsmith, and great grandchildren
Susannah and Harlan Goldsmith and Jake and Zoe Rosenberg. Memorial contributions may be
made to the Kansas City Chorale, 5601 Wyandotte, Suite 412, Kansas City, MO 64113

Graveside service for burial of ashes for both Dr. Alan B. Smith and for Ruth Lang Smith will be held at 2pm, Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Miami Cemetery in East Miami County, Kansas on Switzer Road between 335th and 327th street.

Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home 913-755-2114 www.eddybirchard.com.