Ruth Elvira Smith Ward, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, age 82, was born on November 1, 1927, in Hominy, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Claude N. and Alta M. Ledbetter Smith. She departed this life on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Ruth worked at the Will Rogers Building as a housekeeper and at Greenleaf Nursery as a nursery worker.

She enjoyed fishing, traveling and going to the casino. Most of all, Ruth loved spending time with her family and attending family reunions.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Albert H. Ward, one brother, two sisters and one grandson.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Frances Ward of Muskogee, Oklahoma, David and Jeanette Ward of Gulfport, Mississippi, daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Jim Wright of Blanchard, Oklahoma, brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Joy Smith of Park Hill, Oklahoma, sister and brothers-in-law, Leona and C.O. Harper of Bokchito, Oklahoma, Curtis Dunnam of Frederick, Oklahoma, twenty grandchildren, thirty six great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2010, at the Asa Smith Memorial Chapel, Harrah, Oklahoma with Mike Harper officiating.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of Smith ~ Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, Oklahoma.