Sara Ruth Hoge Smith, 86, of Panama City Beach, Florida passed away May 13, 2015 in her home. She was born November 15, 1928 in Valley Head, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Monroe Hoge and NaDona Magnora Hoge; sister, Mary Virginia Hoge Watts; husband, Grover C. Smith; and son, Mitchell Anthony Smith. She is survived by her brother, Billy Carl Hoge; two daughters, Mia Lena Etchberger, and Marqueta Lea Seeuws; five grandchildren, Thomas Ford Seeuws, Jessica N. Sweet, Henry Etchberger, Marleeta A. Escobar, and Marlaina Smith, and three great grandchildren; Satya Seeuws, Rohan Seeuws, and Emma Sweet.

Ruthie, as she was lovingly called, enjoyed people. Throughout her life, her home, whether in suburban Maryland or later in Panama City Beach, was a welcoming place to all. She enjoyed conversation, encouraging friends, having cookouts and Musicals, playing puzzles, and the annual tree trimming party where neighbors and friends helped decorate her Christmas tree, and she, in turn, rewarded them with wonderful festive appetizers and inventive foods.


She truly was a Renaissance woman. Her greatest joy was engaging people in intellectual thought. Her optimism helped many that she loved, as her own children, step out to follow their dreams and move in the direction that would help fulfill their goals. She was an encourager, listener, and genuinely sympathetic friend to all who knocked on her door, and sat at her lazy susan table for tea.

She was accomplished: University graduate, model, business manager, culinary chef in her kitchen, artist, writer, and designer/builder of her Panama City Beach home. Friend, mother of many, sister ("thiter"), Aunt Ruthie, grandmother (Nana to many, related by love), and great grandmother (Nana) are a few of her many names. She was known by the community as the "Lady that wears the hat and white gloves".

But the memory of her will always be that she was there when you needed her, listening, caring and encouraging.

A visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home in Panama City on Thursday, May 21, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held in Whitehall Methodist Church in Valley Head, Alabama on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Gary Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehall Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m., one hour prior to service time.