Esther Ruth Smith, 89, passed away Dec. 24, 2025,  at the Elizabeth Care Center, Elizabeth, WV.  The daughter of the late Robert Lawson Bain and Agatha Madeline Florer Bain, she had many fond memories of growing up on the farm and attending church in Burning Springs.

Esther was valedictorian, Class of 1954 at Wirt County High School. After graduation, she  married Kenneth Smith and  moved to Air Force bases in Mississippi and Washington, then West Virginia and Maryland.  With her children, Esther returned to West Virginia to raise and support them.

Over the  years, she had many jobs, retiring from the Bureau of Fiscal Services.  Never one to sit idle, she came out of retirement twice and also volunteered as a Foster Grandparent.  In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, quilting, gardening and camping.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son David Smith (Claudia); three brothers Albert Bain, Frank Bain (Bertine) and Ralph Bain (Bessie); five nephews Tom Corbitt, Archie Bain, Greg Shrekengost, Tom Bain, and Alex Bain and ex-husbands Kenneth Smith and Donald Price.

Her survivors include sons John Smith (Joanna), Mark Smith (Angel), Michael Smith (Leslie), and Philip Smith (Rose); daughter Janice Lutz (Michael); brothers George Bain (Chris) and Carol Bain (Velma); sisters Judy Hess (Eldred), Lois Rose (Dave) and Lola Blair (Lee); 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 29,  2025, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 9:00am to 11:00am.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00am at Matheny Whited Funeral Home, 97 Juliana Street, Elizabeth, WV.  Reverend Matthew A Smith, a grandson, will be the officiant.  Interment  will be at Two Ripple Cemetery, 41 Two Ripple Road, Elizabeth, WV.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mom's home away from home, the Elizabeth Care Center.  Matheny Whited Funeral Home was honored to assist the Smith family.