Ruth Maurine (Smith) Shelby, age 92, of Greenfield, formerly of Boone County, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Addison Place in New Castle. She was born on February 12, 1924, as the daughter of Basil and Opal (Hedge) Smith. Her mother died when she was 12 days old, and she was raised by her grandparents, Ollie and Corda (Golladay) Smith.
Ruth graduated from Dover High School and Indiana Business College as an executive secretary. Music had always been a part of her life, since she started piano lessons at the age of five, and later voice, violin and accordion lessons. From an early age, she was the song leader in her church and often played the piano there. When four years old, she could read children’s books, and from that day on, she has always been an avid reader of everything.
On January 4, 1946, Ruth married Caryl W. Shelby, who died on July 19, 2006. They were always involved in farming, and in 1976, they were the hosts for the Prairie Farmer Farm Progress Show. They had a winter home in Florida, and in the summer, after crops were in, they often traveled in their motor home to visit friends.
Mrs. Shelby was a member of Advance Christian Community Church, Charlottesville UMW and Nameless Creek Literary Club and a past member of Harmony Homemakers Home Ec. Club and Red Hat Society.
Ruth is survived by her son, Rodney R. (Leah) Shelby; daughter, Melody R. (Monty) Zapf; seven grandchildren, Lori Stephens, Joshua (Anesta) Zapf, Lisa Kane, Jessica (Tim) Stibich, Roscoe (Amanda) Shelby, Jacob (April) Zapf and Lana (Damon) Thomas; and 14 great-grandchildren, Craig, Brooke, Bailey, Wesley, Eugene, Dominic, Sophia, Zachary, Savannah, Sydney, Charli, Zoa, Maverick and Conner. She was preceded in death by her husband and grandparents.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at Charlottesville United Methodist Church, 230 Carthage Rd., Charlottesville, IN 46117. A memorial service will be held immediately following visitation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Rev. Marianne Nichols will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be sent directly to Charlottesville UMC, 230 Carthage Rd., Charlottesville, IN 46117 or Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation, Attn: Sue Wortman Cancer Center, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.
