We joined the hundreds paying last respects to Ruth Berbrant Smith, the lady with the most captivating, million-dollar smile.

Ruthie as she evidently was widely known, was eulogised at St Paul AME Church, Hamilton, as a ‘Christian witness extraordinary’, who turned a disability into a window of opportunity.

News was swift and quite shocking, that Ruth Smith was just 11 days short of her 57th birthday when she died suddenly on May 3.

She was with fellow members of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish at Shelly Bay serving refreshments to persons on the End-to-End Walk from St George’s to Dockyard.

It seemed there were few in the Island who did not know Ruthie.

Hundreds packed to overflowing St Paul AME Church, Hamilton for her funeral.

Others knowing they would be unable to attend had gone to the Augustus Funeral Parlor the night before, seeing her so beautiful in repose.

Also an unprecedented dozens paid tribute to her electronically, citing her among other things as a GEM.

Ruth was the fifth child born to Clarence (Big) Smith and his wife the late Ina Smith (née) Dowling.

She was inordinately tiny at birth, and doctors estimated she would hardly live to age seven. She had one disability, which was deafness.

She attended Grace Methodist Church Nursery, West End Primary and Sandys Secondary Schools, as well as Adult Education School and Bermuda College, where obtained a diploma in Fashion and Design.

She became a committed member of many organisations, church and social.

They included the Bermuda Deaf Awareness Association, Cedar Hill Rangers, Hands of Faith For God’s Purposes; Bethel Family Choir; Bethel Sunday School, where was its Recorder; YPD Missionaries and others.

Also Ruth was a devoted worker at the law firm of Conyers Dill and Pearman for 27 years. A director of the firm and fellow workers paid a glowing tributes her at the funeral.

Bethel’s Pastor, the Rev Ruth D Vanlowe Smith conducted the service.

Former pastor, Rev Lorne K Bean delivered a spirited eulogy, citing how Ruth, though disadvantage with her disability had turned it into a window of opportunity.

She was disadvantaged yet determined; she was a giant walking among us.

She was polite and potent; a Christian witness extraordinary.

Rev Bean surmised Ruthie would have been overwhelmed by the turn out at her funeral.

Her big brother, well-known Gary (Bulla) Smith gave some heartwarming reflection the good life growing up with. On behalf of the family, he thanked all for the respect they had demonstrated towards his sister.