Thelma Ruth Smith, 90, passed away on November 3rd 2023, in her tiny green house in Ponder, TX. Thelma was born on April 28, 1933 in Decatur, TX to Jimmie and Lottie (Patton) Lewis.

Thelma grew up most of her childhood in Denton, TX.  She met and married, Oather Smith, in May 1958 in Ponder, Texas. They made Ponder their home and resided there for the next 50 years. Thelma became a pillar in the Ponder community where she donated her time to coaching little league baseball, fundraising for the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department, teaching bible study and hauling with Dana around to high school rodeos. Thelma was a homemaker and also helped run Friedel Linen Service, where she worked for 36 years.

After retirement she enjoyed reading, crafting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, drawing/coloring, quilting with Joyce, traveling with her niece Kim and most importantly, rocking babies at Little Lions Learning Center in Ponder, TX, where she was known as Granny Ruth. She worked at Little Lions until she was 87 and loved spoiling the babies. She also had a fondness for the casino, often finding her and Kay road tripping around Oklahoma checking out every casino they could find along the way. Thelma was loved by many in which she had a long list of nicknames including, Ma, Momma Ruth, Granny Ruth, Sis and Aunt Sis. Her favorite thing above all, was spending time with her family and friends. Thelma will be remembered by her contagious smile, chuckle, wittiness and she always loved an adventure.

Thelma is survived by nephew Kyle Roan, wife Emily, children Lottie and Lincoln of Krum, Texas; Niece Jessica Kloiber, husband Curtis, daughter Hadley of Krum, Texas; Clem and Joyce Deussen of Ponder, Texas; Chris and Dana Burr, children Braidyn and Blaine of Ponder, Texas; Clem Jr and Leah Deussen of Ponder, Texas; Tyler and Cassidy Deussen, daughter Charley of Ponder, Texas; Eric and Cassi Auton, daughter Addy of Duncan, Oklahoma; Michael and Tammy Durrett, children; Taylor, Nolan, Mason, Jenson and Everett of Ponder, Texas; Kay Darnell of Ponder, Texas; Frank and Amber Castillo, children; Ashtyn, Camdyn and Landyn of Ponder, Texas; Joseph and Delanie Temple of Ponder, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins including Donald, John, Lori, DeDe, Tonette, Randy, Mary, Donna, Sue, and Debra.

Thelma is preceded in death by her beloved husband Oather Smith; parents Jimmie and Lottie Lewis; brother Donnie Lewis; brother Bill Lewis; sister Jimmie Walker; brother Bob Lewis; brother Gene Lewis; nephew Jimmy Wesley Taylor; niece Kim Roan.

Pallbearers include Rob Wood, Clem Deussen Jr, Kyle Roan, Tyler Deussen, Chris Burr, Blaine Burr, Joseph Temple, Frank Castillo, Calvin Long, and Ashtyn Castillo.

A viewing will be held at DeBerry Funeral home in Denton, TX on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 from 6–8pm. Graveside service will be held at Eakin Cemetery in Justin, TX on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 at 11am.