Zettie "Ruth" Smith

Zettie “Ruth” Smith, 89, of Creedmoor, North Carolina peacefully passed away in the early morning hours on Saturday, October 19, 2024. She was born August 20, 1935, in Durham, NC to the late Alonza and Eunice Oakley.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Clifford Oakley and her sister, Swanola Holder, Niece Bonnie Arnold and Nephews Cliff Oakley and Alfred Oakley, as well as her great nephew, Greg Arnold.

Ms. Smith retired from the Credit Bureau as a Collections Supervisor in 2000 and from Carolina Door in 2005. She was a longtime and faithful member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Creedmoor where she was a member of the Open-Door Ladies Sunday School Class and also an outreach leader.

Ruth was a sweet and loving woman who enjoyed doing for others. She loved to cook homemade meals for her family and friends. Ruth also enjoyed going to the coast to fish and to the mountains to relax. She was an avid Durham Bulls fan and also enjoyed watching basketball. Ruth will be remembered as a wonderful aunt, sibling, friend and dedicated church member who will be deeply missed by everyone blessed to have known her.

Ms. Smith is survived by her great niece, Tammy Arnold; great nephew, Joey Oakley; great great nephews, Justin Arnold (Christa) and Glenn Arnold; great great niece, Ashley Rochester (Jason Fesperman); great great great nephews, Danny Arnold and Daniel Fesperman and other loving family members and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2677 NC Hwy 56, Creedmoor, NC 27522. The family will receive friends prior to the service starting at 1:00 P.M. Rev. David Herman will officiate. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Durham, NC.

Special music by Sandy Averette and Rick Williams.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Justin Arnold, Michael Potts, Nick Adcock, Ryan Carpenter, Ben Thaxton and Sidney Lane. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ruth to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2677 NC Hwy. 56, Creedmoor, NC 27522