Alice Ruth Smith Barker, 88, of Chattanooga, TN and formerly of Etowah, TN, passed gently from this world, Friday, October 21, 2011 at Soddy Daisy Health Care Center, Soddy Daisy, TN. Alice Ruth was born on July 5, 1923 in Plains, GA, and was the daughter of the late Herbert H. and Minnie D. Smith. She was a member a long time member of the Etowah First Christian Church. Mrs. Barker worked in Oak Ridge during WWII, served as an eligibility specialist with the Graham County, NC Social Service Department and also as an occupational teacher in the Macon County NC School System. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family who are comforted by the knowledge that she is resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus without fear or pain. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 43 years, Kenneth Barker Sr.; parents, listed above; four sisters, Sara Smith Fuller, Bobbie Smith Boyd, Margaret Smith Tate and Gladys Smith Long and one brother, Herbert N. Smith. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Pamela B. Sipper and James of Opelika, AL;son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth S. Barker Jr., and Judy of Hixon, TN; two brothers, Charles D Smith of Athens, TN and Bill R Smith of Ten Mile, TN; two granddaughters, Julie B. Hancock and Brad of Memphis, TN and Emily Barker of Memphis, TN and a host of dear nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2011, in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Louis Rouse officiating. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2011 in the South Chapel. Interment will follow the funeral service at Green Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.