Mrs. Ruth Marie Smith, 82, of Brookhaven, went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2012 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

     Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 at Brookhaven Funeral Home. Burial will be in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery, Brookhaven. Brookhaven Funeral Home, 849 Natchez Drive, Brookhaven, MS is in charge of arrangements.

     Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

     Mrs. Smith was born Dec. 1, 1929 in Brookhaven and married Thomas Judson “TJ” Smith, June 26, 1954. She was a graduate of Enterprise School and worked many years as a teacher’s assistant with the Brookhaven Public School System. In a career shift, she took a position as a librarian assistant at Lincoln County Public Library, Brookhaven, where she worked until her retirement.

     Mrs. Smith was a devout Christian and a lifelong member of New Prospect Baptist Church. She lived most of her life at 933 Highway 84 West.

     Marie, as everyone knew her, was a very loving, giving and kind hearted soul who could light up a room with her smile and made everyone feel welcome and at ease in her home. She was very close to her family and the holidays were her favorite time of the year when everyone would gather for a big feast, as she was well known for her love of cooking. To know her was to love her and she will be truly missed by many.

     Mrs. Ruth Marie Smith is survived by her loving and doting husband, Thomas Judson “TJ” Smith; her son, Howard Joe Smith; her grandsons, Thomas Judson “TJ” Smith II and Cory Ryan Robinson; her sister-in-law and best girlfriend, Barbara Williams McClelland; and a host of nieces and nephews including greats and great-greats.

     She was preceded in death by her father, William T. “Bill” McClelland; her mother, Beulah Mae Moncrief McClelland; her brother, Harold William “Mac” McClelland; and her son, William Thomas “Tommy” Smith.

     A special thanks to all her caregivers for their excellent loving care during her lengthy illness.

     She will forever remain in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew her.