Ruth Ann Smothers

Mrs. Ruth Ann Smothers, age 77, of Benton; passed away at 1:32 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2020 at the SSM Healthcare Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2020 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Greg Shelton officiating.  Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the services.

Ruth Ann was born on January 28, 1943 in West Frankfort, the daughter of Howard L. Schulz and Vernetta (Dwyer) Schulz. She married Arvel Dean Smothers on December 2, 1961, and he survives.

Mrs. Smothers was a retired Liaison for Southern Illinois with the Department of Public Aid.

She was a member of the West City Baptist Church; and enjoyed attending services at Whittington Church.

Ruth Ann enjoyed attending Senior Meals at the Whittington Church, Black Friday shopping, watching old movies, especially westerns; loved to play cards, swimming; but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

She loved her dogs Bella.

Ruth Ann is survived by her loving husband Dean Smothers of Benton; three children: Sabra Smith and husband Mark of Whittington, Greg Smothers and wife Linda of Marion; Lana Schilli and husband Steve of Benton; twelve grandchildren: Lacey Milligan and husband Justin of Cape May, NJ, Holly Moore and husband Tim of Trussville, AL, Amber Smith of Whittington, Paige Smothers and spouse Allison of Bartonville, IL, Haley Bane and husband Matt of Chicago, Darby Smothers of Marion, Ben Schilli, Jessica Schilli, Brody Schilli and Sam Schilli all of Benton, Amanda Nilges and husband John of Gerard, MO, Cassie DeClue and hsuband Aaron of St. Louis; twelve great-grandchildren: Reagan Milligan, Cooper Milligan, Connor Milligan, Halle Moore, Colsen Moore, Grace Smothers, Evelyn Nilges, Amelia Nilges, Will DeClue, Lillie DeClue, Kayla DeClue, Archer Nilges; a nephew Jeff Spain and wife Sue of Centralia; a sister-in-law Jean McCoy and family of Benton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Nancy Spain; her dog Taffy.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Second Chance Rescue or the Franklin County Animal Shelter; and may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Ruth Ann; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

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