Oct 17, 2018 Orange County Review
Note: Oct. 20, the Orange County African-American Historical Society will hold its first awards banquet. The event is sold out. However, if you would like to make a donation to the OCAAHS, please contact the Rev. Darryle Crump at (301) 520-1082.
The OCAAHS will be recognizing five individuals this year for their extraordinary work in sharing and sustaining African-American history in Orange County. This week we recognize Ruth Lewis Smith in the third installment among the five award recipients.
Ruth Lewis Smith, our 94-year-old honoree, is truly a unique individual. She is a proud native of Unionville, and is one of six children born to Eugene and Daisy Lewis. Ruth often has said that the only thing that they bought from the store was baking powder and sugar. They grew or raised everything else that they needed.
Her father died when she was 4 years old so the family raised turkeys, chickens and ducks that they could sell to make ends meet. To this day, Ruth still enjoys her chickens and guineas that she raises in Illinois, her current home. She continues to value her family and believes in being involved in her community.
Ruth graduated from Lightfoot Training School in 1943. The school was specifically built for black students. After graduation, she traveled to New York and eventually settled in Pennsylvania where she secured a position as an administrator for the University of Pennsylvania. It was there that she met and married Thomas L. Smith. They were blessed with three children: Douglas, Mattie and Amelia.
After retiring from her university position in 1986, Ruth prepared to return home to her roots in Orange County. Upon returning, she spent much of her time caring for her siblings who all are now deceased. She also was active in the community. She was an advocate for voter registration as well as a regular worker at the polls. She was president of the Orange County NAACP for 12 years and was recognized nationally. She was a vital part of the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association and was in many ways an advocate for local congregations to work together for the common good. She was an ardent member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Unionville. She firmly believed that the Christian church has the ability to make a positive difference in the world. She often would say, “That’s how we were raised.”
In many ways, Ruth Lewis Smith is not only a living legend; she is a national treasure. Countless numbers of persons have been touched directly or indirectly by her guiding words and hands.
Until next week, be well.
A special thank you to Joann Brock and the Rev. Darryle Crump for their significant contributions to this article.
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