Ruth Carswell Smith, age 99 years, of Bedminster, NJ, went to be with her Lord on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Hunterdon Care Center, Flemington, NJ.

Ruth was born in a small house next to the blacksmith shop in Basking Ridge, NJ, on July 8, 1925, to Arthur and Anna May Carswell, the oldest of three children – Ruth, Frances, and Arthur, Jr.  Her mother, Anna May, died when Ruth was 11 years old.

Ruth atended grade school in Basking Ridge, started high school at Bernards High School, transferring to Morristown High School, where she graduated. She met her future husband, James L. Smith, at Morristown High School and they married on June 10, 1944. During the war, James was in the Navy and was stationed at the Naval Yard, Washington DC, where Ruth served as a typist and telephone operator until the end of the war.

The newly married husband and wife returned to Morristown, NJ, where, on September 9, 1947, a son was born, James Jr. They then moved to Basking Ridge, NJ, having built a house and barn on her grandfather’s land, and on November 6, 1953, a daughter was born, Cheryl Anne.

Ruth always loved animals, passing this love on to her son, James, encouraging him to become a veterinarian, which he did. Animals on the small farm included dogs, cats, horses, chickens, rabbits, and even sheep.

The family then moved to Bedminster, NJ, in the early 60’s, having again built the house and barns as a family affair and caring for dogs, cats, and horses. Besides taking care of the animals, Ruth rode horses, drove the farm tractor – baling hay, helped with carpentry – hammering nails, cut the grass, painting, etc. You name it, she could do it!

Her interests included gardening – flower and vegetable, art – drawing and painting, sewing – making clothes, cooking, and music. She played the piano, organ, and accordion, and sang in the church choir. She was a long-time member and regular attendee of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge into her 90’s. She was a den mother for her son in Cub Scouts and a Candy Striper at the local hospital.

She was predeceased by her father, Arthur, mother, Anna Mae, and brother, Arthur Carswell, Jr.

Her surviving immediate family includes her younger sister, Francis Liddy, of Millington, NJ, her son, James Jr. and wife, Lynete Smith of Califon, NJ, and their son, her grandson, Devin of Woodbridge, VA, and daughter, Cheryl and husband, Skip McPherson of Reedville, VA.

Because of her love for her grandson, Devin, and music, she greatly enjoyed attending Devin’s high school marching band and orchestra performances with her husband, and she was even able to attend Devin’s college marching band events at the University of Kansas.

After her husband died in 2002, Ruth continued to care for her farm and drove a car into her 90’s. Ruth lived a long, happy, and healthy life. She was the best wife, mother, and friend anybody could wish for and she will be deeply missed.