Ruth Smith Woods

Ruth Smith Woods, 86, a retired elementary school teacher, died at Chambers Nursing Home in Carlisle on January 18, 2015. She was the fourth of seven children born to Ingram and Eloise Snider Smith of the Hamilton Community south of Carlisle. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Elton Smith and Maston Smith; a sister; Callie V. Baker; two nephews, Billy and Eugene Baker and three great-nieces, Patti Carroll, Rene Mott, and Bailey Swilley. Ruth is survived by her husband of 61 years, Weston (Wes) Woods, their two sons, David (Shelia) of Carlisle and Mark (Denise) of Spring, Texas; three granddaughters, Jennifer Woods of Miami Beach, Florida, Sara (Andrew) Silverman of North Little Rock and Emily Woods of Carlisle; three grandsons, Stephen Woods of Spring, Texas, Daniel Woods and Philip Woods of Stillwater, Oklahoma; three sisters, Christine "Chris" Weems and Hazel (BW) Swilley of Hazen, and Jane Head of Keller, Texas; six nephews; seven nieces; six great-nephews; one great-niece; three great-great-nephews, and one great-great-niece. Ruth attended school at Hamilton and Graduated from Carlisle High School, where she was a member of FHA and National Honor Society. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Henderson State Teachers College. After graduation, she worked for Stanlan Oil Company in Fort Worth, Texas, where she met and married Wes in 1953. He was in the Air Force and they were able to travel many places including all 50 states. They lived in Puerto Rico where David was born and Lake Charles, Louisiana where Mark was born. During Wes's tour of duty in Vietnam, Ruth and boys came back to Carlisle to live with her parents. Their final adventure took them to San Antonio, Texas before Wes retired from the Air Force. They moved to Brownwood, Texas where Wes received his BSE in Education from Howard Payne University. After graduation they moved back to Carlisle where Ruth and Wes taught 17 years in the Humnoke School District until it closed. They taught in the Brinkley School District until they retired. Their sons, David and Mark, were involved in sports in Carlisle and Ruth and Wes never missed a game, no matter how far they had to drive. They continued this with their granddaughters and even after they graduated. They loved the Carlisle Bison and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Ruth was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Carlisle. She belonged to GFWC Carlisle Altruistic Club until the end of the club year in 2014 when she retired. Besides helping with the Christmas Nativity Scene and program, Ruth also prepared the scrapbook each year since she retired from teaching in 1991. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. The funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church in Carlisle at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, with burial to follow at Hamilton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Carlisle First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 25, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.