Ruby Darlene Smith

Ruby Darlene Smith, age 84, of Bland, passed away, Saturday, April 2, 2022, at The Bluffs Nursing Facility in Columbia.

Darlene was born March 1, 1938, near Bland, a daughter to the late Edgar and Alice (Hollingworth) Durbin.

She was a 1956 graduate of Bland High School and a longtime member of the Bland Christian Church.

On November 17, 1956, Darlene was united in marriage to John Hugh Smith. From this union, were born twins, James K. Smith and Jack K. Smith. She also became a stepmother to Johnie Hue Smith. Her husband John preceded her in death on October 30, 1991.

Darlene was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter #398 in Cuba for many years beginning in 2002. She also sat on the College Hill cemetery board for many years. Darlene worked many jobs in her lifetime including as a secretary in Belle and as a C.N.A. in Linn. Her latest was at Mace’s Supermarket where she loved seeing all the people come through her line. In 2016 she moved to Columbia, MO to be closer to her son and family.

Her hobbies included cooking, doing crossword and word games, and playing bingo. Darlene was fun loving with a great sense of humor and her faith in God was strong. Her greatest joy in life came from time spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  Darlene will be missed tremendously by her family and friends.

Darlene is survived by: a son, Jim K. Smith and his wife Deborah of Columbia; a daughter -in-law, Teresa Smith of Linn; grandchildren, Anthony A. Smith of Loveland, CO, Donavin J. Smith and his wife Chelsea of Linn, Audra R. Brown of Columbia, Mariah N. Smith of Florissant,  Codi Rohrer her husband Clay of Belle, Malissa Smith of Belle, Brad Smith of Memphis, TN, Krystal D. Smith and Conor E. Smith of Lebanon; great-grandchildren, Paige Smith of St. Robert, Makayla Smith of Ashland, Tyler Smith of Bonnots Mill, Whitney Smith of Owensville, Brooke Hinson and her husband Alex of Bland, Madison Rohrer of Belle, Luke Rohrer of Belle, Jackson Smith of Linn, and Tori Smith of Linn, Evony Smith of Florissant; great-great grandchildren,  Jaylan and Jacoby Elam of Columbia with another one due in July; great-grandchildren, Everleigh Oberle of Ashland, Grayson Oberle of Ashland, Riley Burden of Owensville, Terra Smith of Bonnots Mill, Nala Smith of Bonnots Mill, Liam Smith of Bonnots Mill and two more due in September; nephews, Bryan Durbin, Shannon Durbin and his wife Sherri, and Brent Durbin; great nephew, Shayne Durbin and his wife Kara; great nieces, Caitlyn Stanley, Rachel Durbin; and a great-great niece, Claire Stanley as well as many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Darlene was preceded in death by two sons, Jack K. Smith and Johnie Hue Smith, and one brother, Harley Durbin.