Ruth Ann Smoot's Obituary
Smoot, Ruth Ann Treffeisen, 95, of St. Petersburg, passed
away February 14, 2016 of natural causes. Ruth Ann was
born the third of four daughters to William “Bill” and Alice
Treffeisen in Coatsville, Pennsylvania on January 26, 1921.
Ruth Ann graduated from St. Petersburg High School in
- She attended Parks College in Missouri for 1 year
after high school. During World War II, Ruth Ann enlisted
in the Navy WAVES in 1943. She was an Aviation
Machinist Mate, second-class, based in Atlanta, GA. In an
article from the paper “The Bugle Call” dated August 11,
1943, Ruth Ann, when asked about how she felt about her
service, said “A Navy WAVE – as far as I can see, there is
no better way to work for victory.” Ruth Ann was awarded two medals while in the Navy: the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. She was extremely proud of her service in the Navy and often talked about it up until she died. Ruth Ann was a proud charter member of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. She married John A. Smoot, Jr., a fellow Navel Aviation Machinist Mate, on April 21, 1945. After WWII, the couple moved back to St. Petersburg and started a family. Ruth Ann was a talented bookkeeper and worked for many people over the years including the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. She loved working and did not retire until well into her 70s. Ruth Ann was a member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg since 1980. She used her skills as a bookkeeper to work as the church treasurer for many years. She also loved to participate in their annual craft fair. She was a gifted seamstress and loved making things for family and friends. Ruth Ann is survived by her two daughters, Janet Meuth and Elizabeth Smoot; her son-in-law, George Meuth; three grandchildren, Julie Meuth Stein, James Meuth and Rachael Smoot; her granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Meuth; and her great grandson, Alex Stein; and her many nieces and nephews. She is reunited in Heaven with her parents, Bill and Alice Treffeisen, and three sisters, Lura Treffeisen, Marian Rutsch and Delight Carey. Ruth Ann will be buried with full military honors at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg on March 2, 2016 at 2:15pm.
Written with love by Ruth Ann’s granddaughter, Julie. I love you Grandma!
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