Ruth Smitherman Buchanan

Durham, NC Ruth Smitherman Buchanan, 74, of Durham, North Carolina passed peacefully on August 5, 2019 to be with her Lord and Savior following a many year struggle with Alzheimer???s Disease. She was born Ruth Elizabeth Smithermaneeptember 20, 1944 in Winston-Salem, NC, the daughter of Clyde Henry Smitherman and Lillian Poindexter Smitherman. Ruth is survived by her husband, Robert A Buchanan, Jr. M.D. and their three children: Robert Jed Buchanan of Chicago IL, Elizabeth Brooke Buchanan of Durham NC and Virginia Buchanan Marks of Fox Point, WI. She is lovingly remembered by Jed???s wife, Tasha Strawbridge Buchanan, Brooke???s husband,?? Dr. Peter Herman Sigal, and Ginny???s husband, Benjamin Arthur Marks. Grandchildren include Margret Sofia (Greta), Lillian Abigail, Marlowe Elisabeth and Rowan Alexa of Chicago and Henry Arthur, Lillian Ruth and Cecelia Louise of Fox Point, WI. She is also survived by: Jimmie Smitherman and his wife Jessie Ray, sister-in-law Betty Jo Smitherman and Michael Smitherman and his wife Carol, all of Pfafftown, NC. She was preceded ineeath by her parents, an infant sister and brother Ronee. Ruth graduated from Asbury Uneersity in 1966. She met her future husband, Bob, in Winston-Salem where he was ineedical school. She lived in Greensboro, NC then Richmond, Virginia after graduation where she taught elementary school theneeturned to marry Bob on August 24, 1968 at the East Bend Uneed Methodist Church. They lived in Winston-Salem, NC, Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama where Bob completed his medical training prior to moving to Durham, NC in 1974. Ruth was an active member and leader at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she served as both a Deacon and on the Session. She was active in the Guild and was co-chair of two building campaigns. She participated on two medical mission trips to Haiti. She was quite active in community affairs and served as co-chair of the first Durham County Heart Ball, was President of the Tourist Club, a member of the Junior League of Durham, worked in Voluneer Services and was a member of many book clubs, bridge clubs and other social groups. Ruth was energetic, curious and creative. She had a lifelong love for domestic and international travel, tennis, reading and was an avid walker with friends on the Duke Al Buehler trail. She was a passionee gardener and in particular loved her beautiful roses, which she enjoyed sharing with others. She will be most remembered for her generosity and sharing.?? Ruth truly exhibited Jesus ineelfless acts of giving to others ineeed. Those who knew her will always remember her infectious laugh, her joy in living and her smile that was enormous, genuine and was so ofteneeeneecause she saw beauty, love and happiness everywhere she looked. The family is most appreciative of the love and care of many, but in particular to Libby Williams, Indel Page, Alamance Hospice, the staff at Carilllon Garden Place, The Seasons at Southpoint (especially Franee Burgess) and Anne Paulson. A memorial service ineelebration of her life will be held at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday August 17, 2019 at 1PM with a reception to follow. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Blacknall Church, 1902 Perry St., Durham, NC 27705 or Alzheimer???s Association Eastern NC Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27612.