Ruth Colvin-Smith

With profound reverence and cherished remembrance, we celebrate the life of Ruth Lee Colvin Smith, born Ruth Lee Colvin on November 12, 1935, in the tranquil countryside of Pender County, North Carolina. On August 12, 2026, at Campbell Health & Rehab Center in North Carolina, Ruth’s remarkable journey through life came to a gentle close at the age of ninety, leaving a legacy imbued with compassion, purpose, and quiet strength.

Throughout her life, Ruth embodied the true spirit of a missionary, not only in faith but in her everyday existence. Her hands were ever extended to those around her, whether transporting friends and family to appointments or offering comfort and support whenever the hour called. Ruth moved through her years not as a bystander, but as a participant in the lives and hopes of her community, ministering in deeds as much as words.

Ruth’s love of gardening spoke to her nurturing heart: in every tender seedling guided aloft and every blossom nurtured, one glimpsed the same attentive care she bestowed upon all whom she loved. Crafting and sewing, too, became part of her unspoken language of affection, gifts rendered tangible through stitches, each one a testament to her creativity and giving nature.

Her faith was woven throughout her life and actions, her spirit reflecting that of the true missionary, steadfast, quietly transformative, and enduring. Ruth’s generosity did not ebb; she was always lending a hand, supporting friends and kin through life’s trials and joys, often behind the scenes and without desire for acclaim. For many who crossed her path, she was that reliable presence, dependable and loving, ever willing to offer a ride, an encouraging word, or a moment of solace.

As we gather to honor Ruth’s remarkable life and unwavering kindness, the memories she leaves behind serve as both anchor and inspiration. The visitation will be held on August 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Dunn Funeral Home and Cremation Services, located at 810 W Wilmington Street, Burgaw, NC. A Celebration of Life will follow on August 18, 2026, commencing at 1:00 PM at New Zion A.M.E Church, 7960 Slocum Trail, Atkinson, NC. In accordance with her wishes, Ruth will be laid to rest at the New Zion AME Church Cemetery of Atkinson, North Carolina, a place befitting a soul so devoted to faith and community.

While the particulars of surviving and departed family and friends are not enumerated here, the breadth of Ruth’s influence is felt deeply by all who knew her. Each life she touched bears the imprint of her gentleness, service, and indelible love.

In remembering Ruth Lee Smith, we do not merely mourn her passing; instead, we give thanks for the radiant beacon she provided. Her legacy endures in gardens blooming, in every act of kindness sown within the community, and in the grace by which she lived her days, a life well-lived, and a spirit cherished beyond measure.