Our family unexpectedly lost its matriarch, Ruth Louise (Smith) Hembree, on February 17, 2024. She was just 70 years old. Ruth, also known as Ruthie, was born on July 8, 1953, in Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, to Floretta and William ‘Ralph’ Smith. When she was a few months old she moved internationally to Japan for about a year where her father was stationed and spent the following few years in Germany. Finally, Ruth’s family was brought to Washington State where she finished growing up. Ruth’s life seems too short, but those of us blessed to know her understand that her existence and the imprint that she left in our hearts exceeds the quantity of time that she spent with us.

When Ruth was just 17 years old, she met the love of her life -- John Hembree, Sr. They met in Kent in the most unexpected way; you could say love at first sight. Ruth and John married on July 18, 1970, and went on to enjoy 53 years of marriage. They graduated from Kent-Meridian High School together in 1972, and settled down in Kent, Washington, where they raised their three sons. Little did Ruth know that this was just the beginning of a large, sprawling family – something that brought her great joy. Not a day went by where Ruth didn’t express how much her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family meant to her – her family was arguably her most important achievement in life.

In Ruth’s spare time she loved to macrame, knit, and watch her favorite show, The Young and the Restless. She enjoyed collecting all types of things that involved Elvis Presley and Shirley Temple. She delighted in traveling--at one point she took a trip from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. She especially loved taking her grandchildren on special trips including to Disneyland, Las Vegas, Enchanted Forest, Silverwood, and Wild Waves.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Floretta and William ‘Ralph’ Smith and her brother, William ‘Bill’ Smith, Jr. She leaves behind her loving husband of 53 years, John W. Hembree, Sr.; her 3 sons and their wives: John ‘Johnny’ Hembree Jr. (Lynda), Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Hembree (Kamber), and Andrew ‘Andy’ Hembree (Dorothy); 10 grandchildren: Laurie (James), Jessica (Anthony), Joshua, Sarah (David), Haylee (AJ), Sonja (Scott), Zane (Emily), Nicholas, Jarek, and Isaiah; 10 great-grandchildren: Marianne, Sophia, Stacey, Brice, Daniel, Zelda, Monika, Blake, Kaeson, and Paxton.

A beautiful, loving, and comforting woman until the very end, rest in paradise. Please join us celebrating her life on March 23, 2024, at 12-4pm. It will be held at the Auburn School District Transportation building: 615 15th Street Southwest, Auburn, Washington 98001.