Ruth Hoffmeister Smith

Ruth Hoffmeister Smith, 77, went to be with our Lord Jan. 8, 2013, at home. She was born in Canton, OH, and grew up in Ft. Pierce. At the age of seventeen she dedicated her life to Jesus. Her mother-in-law, Martha Anne Smith was her mentor in the word of God. The lessons she learned about Jesus forever impacted this teen bride and fired a passion in Ruth to pass on to others the life transforming power of God’s word. Her first students were her five children. Ruth later went on to serve in five different churches. Initially she volunteered at Fairlawn Baptist and later became the Nursery Director. She and her husband Julian went on to assist with starting a new church known as First Baptist Church of Port St. Lucie. God then led Ruth and her husband to serve at Parkview Baptist in Ft. Pierce, where she faithfully oversaw the nursery ministry for the next ten years.

In 1980 after having successfully raised five children, the Lord impressed upon her and Julian to open Loving Care Child Development Center. A dynamic family business that has influenced thousands of children and their families in the 30 plus years of operation.

Ruth’s passion to grow in her knowledge of the word of God led her to attend North Florida Baptist Theological Seminary and complete a seminary degree. She then went on to assist with the start of Renewed Hope Fellowship. Ruth greeted at the outreach coffee house, conducted bible studies, and ran support groups for women in crisis. Her wisdom and life experiences in her journey with Jesus enabled many women to break free from the bondages of depression and despair. God worked through Ruth’s compassion for the lost and hurting to set many free to live a Christ centered life of hope and joy.

The last season in Ruth’s Journey with Jesus led her to Southside Baptist. Ruth became a Sunday school teacher and a women’s bible study leader at the church for the last ten plus years. In 2005, God opened a door for her to assist many wounded and forgotten sheep at the county jail. Ruth’s wisdom in the Word of God made her a favorite with many of the women in the Thursday Afternoon Chapel Service. She could see in many of them a hunger for God’s love and a need for direction. It was that same hunger that led a wide-eyed 17-year-old young woman, some 60 years ago to grab hold of Jesus’ hand and heart and embark on an amazing life adventure.

She is survived by her sons, Julian David (Kathleen) Smith Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska, Paul (Joi) Smith, daughters Debra (David) Thompson, Martha (Roger) Gates, and Mary (Tommy) Logsdon, all of Fort Pierce.

Grandchildren include; Shannon (Steve) Miller, Josh (Brooke) Thompson, Rebekah Thompson, Christian Eidem, Nathan and Helen Gates, Lauren Gates, Carrie Anne Gates, Travis (Andi) Gates, Brooke Jones, Tyler (Raeann) Logsdon, Brittney Logsdon, Samuel (Sarah) Smith, Amber (Billy) Crittenden and John David Smith.

Great-grandchildren; Robyn Miller, Stefannie Tuttle, Scotty Shiver, Caleb Shiver, Victoria Shiver, Seth Miller, Brooke Miller, Ethan Thompson, Eva Thompson, Taylor Gates, Madison Gates, Paisley Jones and Reid Smith.
One great great grandchild, Alexander Martinez.
Brother Raymond Hoffmeister and Sisters Mary Kitzi, Betty Sanford, Patricia Freeman, and Kathy Eldridge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian David Smith Sr., son, Daniel Clay Smith, and brother, Charles Robert Hoffmeister Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to; Feed My Starving Children @ fmsc.org