Ruth Mendes

View this Videotribute Ruth Arvilla Smith Mendes, age 86, of Glendale Springs, NC died May 5, 2009 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, SC after a courageous battle with lung disease. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Born in Dover, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Roscoe Bertram Smith, Sr. and Helen Counsil Smith. She was the granddaughter of Henry Isaac Smith and Mary Frances Carberry Smith and of John de Loraine Counsil and Arvilla Rosalene Baird Counsil. Ruth was raised in Kenville, NJ, Hercules, CA and Wilmington DE. She was graduated from Pierre S. duPont High School in Wilmington, DE.  Graduating from Bucknell University in 1944, she was awarded a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology. At Bucknell, she was President of the House of Representatives of the Women's Student Government Association, President of the Delta Zeta Sorority, and a member of the Women's Athletic Association. She was also named to the Who's Who of American Women. She also received the esteemed Eleanor D. Decker Award given to one who embodies the highest qualities of Christian womanhood.  On June 22, 1946, she married her college classmate, the late Frank Emmons Mendes, 3rd. In 1950, they moved to Camden, SC where they made their home until 1983. Ruth was a member of a variety of volunteer and church organizations, a garden club, a book club, and a theater group. Ruth worked in the Camden High School library. She also served as president of the Camden Elementary School PTA and president of the adult chapter of the American Field Service Exchange Student Program. She was an active member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church.  After her husband's retirement, Ruth and Frank moved to Glendale Springs, NC where she was an active member of the Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church in West Jefferson, NC. Ruth was one of the founding members in a retiree's study group affectionately known as Blue Ridge University. She was predeceased by her husband in 2006. Ruth enjoyed many interests and hobbies over her lifetime. Her very large circle of friends enjoyed Ruth's humor, kindness, wisdom, generosity, uplifting spirit, and counsel.  Ruth is survived by her daughter Barbara Mendes Jurs, son-in-law Dr. Dennis Gregg Jurs, and her grandson Jason Randall Jurs, all of Spartanburg, SC; her son John Randall Mendes and daughter-in-law Dottie McLellan Mendes of Weddington, NC; and a nephew and niece. A brother Roscoe Bertram Smith, Jr. predeceased her.  Memorial Services will be 11 AM Saturday, May 9th, 2009 at Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church, 201 S. Jefferson Ave, W. Jefferson, NC. The family will receive guests following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall. An inurnment service will take place 2 PM at Ashelawn Mausoleum of Prayer in Jefferson, NC. Memorials may be made to Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church W. Jefferson, NC 28694; Ashe County Public Library, 148 Library Drive, W. Jefferson, NC 28694; or to High Country Health Care System Hospice PO Box 421 Jefferson, NC 28640.