Mrs. Ruby Lanier Smith, a wonderful, caring, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, age 81, of 424 Suttle Street, Shelby, NC answered God’s call from this earthly house to her heavenly home on Wednesday November 28, 2012 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby.  The amazing Ruby was born on October 12, 1931, along with her identical twin Ruth, to the late John Henry and Essie Huskey Lanier in Blacksburg, SC.

Ruby was a homemaker in the highest degree and an employee at Wal-Mart Super Center of Shelby, NC where she was loved and admired by many.  She loved and cared for her family, friends and community.

Ruby was a member of Ellis Chapel Baptist Church where she attended faithfully as her health allowed her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Smith;

her grandchildren, Ed Thompson, Ivan Thompson, Tracy Kee, Shawn Kee, Sandra Kee and Sonya Thompson; her great-grandchildren, India Moon, Brookie Kee and Frederick Lamont Hartgrove; two brothers, Clyde Lanier and Walter Ray Lanier and a sister, Mary Degree.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children, Ed Thompson, Jr. (Gwen) and Katherine Kee both of the home, Richard Thompson (Judy), Audrey Thompson and Franzie Lockhart all of Shelby and Pearl Thompson of Beckley, W.V; two sisters, Ruth Morgan of Hickory, NC and Annie Pearl Epps (George) of Shelby; a great-grandchild that she reared, Ashley Kee of Greensboro, NC; a great, great grandchild, Treshawn Coleman of the home; 17 grandchildren; 66 additional great-grandchildren; 29 additional great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Ellis Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Lockhart, Jr. officiating.  Burial will take place at the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 PM at the church on Monday.  Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net.  Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.