On March 15, 2002 in the evening hours as she quietly slept, God in His tender love and mercy called our beloved Mother to her home in Glory to forever be with our Lord.
Ruby Velma Smart was born on October 25, 1907 in Ruth, Coryell County, Texas, to John Wesley and Lena Elizabeth [Tunnell] Kearney She passed away at the Valley Inn in Mancos, Colorado at the age of 94.
On January 4, 1926 at Energy, Texas she married James Clinton Smart. They had celebrated 59 years of marriage prior to his death in 1985. They remained in Texas until May 2, 1940 at which time they relocated to Colorado, living first at Cahone, Dove Creek and Pleasant View and in 1944 the family moved to Cortez.
Her husband was a minister in the Primitive Baptist Church. She had been a member of the Church for 71 years and was one of the most dedicated and faithful members. Her beautiful alto voice could always be heard at church services which she faithfully attended up until one month prior to her death. They both had dedicated their lives to God, family and church.
She was a loving wife and companion to her husband; a loving mother to her children, "Mom" to friends of her children, Grandma to her many grand, great and great-great-grandchildren, and Aunt Ruby to many long time close friends.
She was a talented homemaker and the home of Dad and Mother was always open to everyone, from the many church friends and family friends who traveled from the four corners of the states to visit, to the family and friends of their children, who always made this home the first place to stop, even to the unknown travelers who needed a bit of cash to continue their travels, and the hobos who needed a hot meal to sustain them.
Her love and tender compassion to her children and grandchildren, from the tiny skinned knee to the "heartaches" of their teen years in growing up was never ending, and she always made each of them feel as though they were the most special person to her.
She was a great cook and meals were prepared suitable for a harvest crew or for a gourmet feast, whichever the occasion might require. She was a talented seamstress creating "fancies" for the young and young at heart, and "stylish" for the adult.
Our Mother was the quiet voice of encouragement, the gentle touch of compassion and the warming smile of reassurance. She was someone very special...someone to look up to and respect, someone to be close to and love.
She will be loved and missed by all her family and friends forever.
She is survived by her brother, John Nelson [Irene] Kearney of Burnet, TX; children, Lois [John] Harris of Cortez; Joe [Joan][ Smart of Green Valley, Az; Bill [Jodee] Smart of Cortez, and Adina [Larry] Sowle of Renton, Wash.; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren.
Her husband, Elder James C. Smart, and a baby daughter, father, mother; sister, Golda Gleaton, and her brother, Sam Kearney, preceded her in death.
Sister Ruby was the last Charter member of the Cortez Primitive Baptist Church. The others have all either moved away or passed away. She also served as Church Clerk for several years.
Written by Lois [Smart] Harris, daughter
Submitted by Elder Cleveland Bass, Pastor
Ruby Jean Barber, C. C.