Ruth Elizabeth Smith, 71, of Iola, Kansas, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the Moran Manor Nursing Center. Ruth was born June 5, 1938, at Ft. Scott, Kansas, the daughter of Lee Roy and Ruth Elizabeth (Daw) Williams. She grew up at Ft. Scott. On January 7, 1956, Ruth married Otis Smith at Nevada, Missouri. They made their home in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas and had four children before they divorced. Ruth moved to Iola from Yates Center and has worked as a waitress at Forestines's, Downtown Fine Foods, The Greenery and Hardee's. She loved to read. SURVIVORS: 2 Sons: Randall L. Smith of Iola, KS and Joe Smith & wife, Anna of Clinton, MO 2 Daughters: Alzina Kress & husband, John of Iola, KS, and Mary E. Smith also of Iola, KS 12 Grandchildren & 13 Great Grandchildren 2 Brothers: Phillip Williams of Joplin, MO and Ed Williams of Portland, Oregon 3 Sisters: Edith Narloch of Yates Center, KS, Theresa Jackson of Frontenac, KS and Bonnie Marshall of Ft. Scott, KS She was preceded in death by a grandson, Skylee Mansseh Fishback, and by one brother, LeRoy Williams and two sisters, Alice Williams and Mary Jewsbury. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. The Chaplain Lloyd W. Houk will officiate. INURNMENT: Highland Cemetery in Iola, at a later date. MEMORIAL: The Ruth E. Smith Memorial Fund. Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.