Mary Ruth Wood Smith

Mary Ruth Wood Smith, 85, of 241 Bagley Swamp Road, Hertford, NC, died Friday, January 18, 2013 in Vidant Medical Center, Greenville. Mrs. Smith was born in Pasquotank County and was the daughter of the late Dennis P. and Mary Jackson Wood. For 35 years she owned and operated Dozier's Florist, and since 1992, Dozier's Mini-Storage, until her retirement. Active in her community, she had served as the president of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Winfall Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary, and Hertford United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Paul Smith, Sr.; her sister, Minnie Wilma Hurdle; her brother, Dennis Wood; and a son-in-law, Rufus Hudson. Surviving are her daughter, Sandra Hudson Byrum and husband Joe Carroll of Edenton; her son, L. Paul Smith, Jr. and wife Anna Wrae of Hertford; three grandchildren, Jason Smith and wife Megan, Wendy Hudson Gardner and husband Gary, and Jamie Hudson Davenport; two step-grandchildren, Joey Byrum and wife Ashley and Stacey Virginia and husband Tony; six great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Cedarwood Cemetery by the Rev. H. Gene Boyce and Dr. James Horton. Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is handling arrangements. Friends may join the family at the residence.