Ruth Smelley

Ruth Ann Keeth Smelley, 85, of Whatley, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Crowne Health Nursing Home in Mobile. She was born in Fayette County on May 20, 1934 to Wiley B. Keeth and Modie Jane Sanford Keeth. A homemaker, she was also an active member of Amity Baptist Church in Whatley where she was a Sunday School teacher and song leader. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking and working outdoors, especially with her flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Melvin Phillips and Nicholas Smelley and siblings, Rayford Keeth, Ruby Lee Thomas, Marie Bigham, Berniece Colburn and Shirley Graves.

She is survived by her children, Tommy (Lisa) Phillips, Judy (Douglas) Clarke; grandchildren, Daniel (Brandon) Clarke, Christy (Austin) Roberts; great-grandchildren, Carolina Clarke, Sawyer Clarke, Scout Clarke, Kelly Roberts, Cooper Roberts; siblings, J.T. (Hilda) Keeth, Bobby (Thelma) Keeth; sister-in-law, Elouise Keeth; brother-in-law, Jimmy Colburn; numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Amity Baptist Church with the Revs. Craig Weaver and Don White officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery with Lathan Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Alexander, Don Anderson, Benny Fuller, Charles Hicks, Ernie Ray and Johnny Salter.

Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhome.com.