A Time to be Born

Ruthie Lee Smith McLin was born on March 21, 1935, to the late Alec Gelston Smith and Josie Lee Peterson Smith in rural Rankin County, Mississippi. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Charlie Lee Peterson, Jr. and Nancy "Noot" McCornell Peterson. Ruthie was affectionately known as "Baby Ruth" to family and friends from her youth.

A Time to Live
She was a member of Lone Pine Missionary Baptist Church in Lena, Mississippi where she was baptized and confessed her love for Christ. Later in life, she and her family found a church home at Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi under the leadership of Pastor.
David Hudson. During her tenure there, she served diligently in several capacities which included but were not limited to, the Pastor's Aide Chairperson, Sanctuary Choir President and Kitchen Ministry Member. Ruthie's formative years of education were in Sandhill, Mississippi. She later met and married the love of her life, Columbus McLin, Jr. In March 1953 with whom she shared six (6) beautiful and amazing children: Gloria Jean, Doretha, Shirley Ann, Kenneth, Timothy and Sharon. Ruthie was employed by the Mississippi State Hospital for quite some time. However, she became gainfully employed with Sta-Home Health Agency and retired after nineteen (19) years of service. She was truly a well-respected and strong Matriarch of the family and was notorious for her home interior decorating, yard manicuring, cooking and sharing stories about the old days. Too, Baby Ruth was an individual who would keep you laughing if you had any personal encounter with her.

A Time to Answer
On December 28, 2022, God sent His angels on assignment to claim our beloved Ruthie as she transitioned from time to eternity.

A Time to Mourn
She leaves to cherish her memories, four (4) daughters, Gloria (Alfred) Martin, Doretha McLin, Shirley Hill and Sharon Robinson, all of Jackson, Mississippi; one (1) son Kenneth McLin of Houston, Texas; fifteen (15) grandchildren; twenty-nine (29) great grandchildren; three (3) great-great grandchildren; one (1) brother, Charles Edward (Melbah) Smith of Brandon, Mississippi and two (2) special first cousins who were raised as her sisters, Viola (H.D.) Adams Manning of Las Vegas, Nevada and Christine Peterson (Roosevelt) Lindsey of Peoria, Illinois. Preceding her in death was her husband Columbus McLin, Jr.; parents Alec Smith and Josie Smith; two (2) sisters, Lucille (Lloyd, Sr.) McLin and Willie Ruth Adams; one (1) brother, James "Tony" Otis Smith, Sr.; one (1) son, Timothy McLin; one (1) granddaughter, Devone "Shevon" McLin; one (1) great granddaughter, La'Niya Moore; one (1) special first cousin, Ella Mae Peterson (Solomon) McLin; a special aunt, Sadie Lee Peterson Gipson and a host of nieces, nephews, and family friends.