Lida Ruth Hamilton Smith

Lida Ruth Hamilton Smith, 97, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, widow of James Nelson Smith entered into eternal rest Thursday, October 31, 2024. Her Funeral Service will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street, Charleston SC at 6:00 pm. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:00 pm until the time of service in the Downtown Chapel. Burial will be a 1p graveside service in Oaklawn Cemetery, Highway 81, Anderson, SC on Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. 

Lida was born October 3, 1927 in Owensboro, Kentucky, daughter of the late James Clement Hamilton and Mamie Elliott Hamilton. Our Mom and Dad met while at Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY, and decided to begin their married life in 1947. They raised three children while living initially in Owensboro, then Augusta, GA , North Augusta SC and settling in Greenville, SC. Mom and Dad were married 54 years before he died in 2001. She worked tirelessly running the home, chasing the three of us as we grew up and somehow always knowing when we were up to no good. Mom developed her artistic talent for painting in different mediums which she enjoyed for many years, leaving behind many keepsake paintings for our family. She also loved playing bridge with dear friends. After Dad retired they moved to a creek home at Garden City Beach, SC where she rekindled her childhood love for fishing. Mom didn’t swim but would take off in her life jacket and very own johnboat named “HERS” to explore the waters of Murrells Inlet, SC. She became quite adept at catching doormat size flounder and loved to go crabbing, as well. Mom loved her kids, five grandkids and lived long enough to play with and enjoy eight great grandchildren. 

Lida is survived by her son, Steven Smith of Anderson SC, and daughter, Sherrie Smith Driver (Tim) of Charleston, SC. Our oldest sibling, Tom P. Smith, died in 2019 after a long illness. Lida has five grandchildren: Amy Britz (Luke) of Fort Mill, SC, Susan Holum (Nik) of Charleston, SC, Jennifer Ables (Ross) of Belton, SC, James Driver (Mary) of Charleston, SC, and Ashley Smith of McLean, VA as well as eight great-grandchildren: Cora and Charlie Holum, Clay, Carsyn and Connor Ables plus Alice, Jim and Julia Driver.

Many thanks to the caregivers and friends of the Keil Health Center, Skilled Care located at Franke at Seaside in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Mom, as well as our family, really appreciate you and your mission of loving care. 

Please offer prayers in Lida’s memory to celebrate her life on earth and being in Jesus’ arms in Heaven, surrounded by loved ones gone before her.