Ruth Margaretta Burgess Smith, age 89 of Monroeville, died Saturday, December 2, 2023, in her home with her family by her side.
Ruth was born on March 29, 1934, and raised in Monroeville. She lived her entire life on the same country block. She married Alfred E. Smith on November 28, 1953, in Friendship United Methodist Church, the church where she had been a member since age seven. She and Al were married over 49 years and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week. She had worked as a cashier at the Williamstown Acme for 7 years and at Bridgeton Acme for 33 years, retiring in 1996 after 40 years of service. She had also served as Union Shop Steward, and in 1996, she was awarded Checker of the Year. A true country girl, she and her husband enjoyed snowmobiling locally and were enthusiastic fishers, and hunters of deer, rabbit, squirrel and local fowl. They enjoyed making meals from all that they hunted and caught. Over time, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Al became the matriarch and patriarch of the Smith family. She is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families, and her dear friends and neighbors. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Edgar L. & Jane (Reeve) Burgess, and her brothers, George and Joe.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 8th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown, where friends are invited to visit from 10 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Elmer. Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Ruth to Friendship United Methodist Church, 149 Friendship Rd., Monroeville, NJ 08343, Attn: Michelle Gerrells. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to her family.