Flora Ruth Smelcer

Flora Ruth Ellis Smelcer, 95, of Dandridge, Tennessee was called to her heavenly home to be with Christ Jesus her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2025. A lifelong native of Jefferson County, she was born January 18, 1930 to Robert Harrison Ellis and Mary Eunice Allen Ellis. She was a graduate of Maury High School and East Tennessee State University. Flora Ruth or “Mrs. Smelcer” was an educator, touching the hearts and minds of countless students in Jefferson County for many years. After retiring she became a school board member. Living in the Chestnut Hill community since her marriage to Ray, she was a member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church and a cherished friend and neighbor. Flora Ruth, alongside her husband, was a public servant. She was a member of the Dandridge VFW Post 3380 Auxiliary, the Chestnut Hill Ruritan Club, and an associate member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary. Flora Ruth was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life and husband of 64 years Ray Smelcer, her cherished siblings Phyllis Ellis Palmer and Robert Harrison Ellis Jr., and several brothers and sisters in law. Flora Ruth is survived by her children Lydia Kay Witt (Jimmy), Phyllis Smelcer Stanton (Paul), Ruth Anne DeForest (Randy); her grandchildren Hillary Byrd (Maury), Karen Piedra (Carlos), Jenna Rubi (Joel), Leah DeForest; great grandchildren Mason (Sydney), Myles (Kinady), Micah (Maddie), and Maxwell Byrd, Lydia McDowell (Griffin), Sophia and Mari Lola Piedra, and Bella and Camila Rubi; and great great grandchildren Aspen and Liam Byrd, Carter Byrd, Maria McDowell, and Moss Byrd; special friend Irene Hance (Gary); caretaker and friend Mary Utendorf; caretaker and friend Joanna Fletcher; as well as several other family members and friends. The family would also like to say a special thanks to Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice for their attentive care. Memorial gifts may be made to the Gideons International (Jefferson County Camp) PO Box 1245 - Dandridge, TN 37725 or Holston Home for Children, Attn: Memorial Gifts, 404 Holston Dr., Greenville, TN 37743. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, 2:00pm at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Stacey Morgan officiating. Interment to follow at Hills Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday 12:00 Noon to 2:00pm prior to the funeral service.

Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home, Dandridge, TN