Collection Title: Rubie E. Smith Collection
Series Number: MS25-03
Processed and Cataloged by: Susan White
Date Listed: September 16, 2025
Date Span: 1944-1975
Size of Collection: 1.4 linear feet
Number of Boxes: 5 boxes: 2 legal size and 3 half sized boxes
Type of Material: Newspaper clippings, photographs, journals, letters, and pamphlets
Condition of Material: Good.
Arrangement: None
Biographical / Historical Information: Rubie E. Smith was a notable Murray State professor of elementary education and chairman of the Department of Education. A Marshall County native, she received an A.B. degree from Murray State, then an M.A. degree from Peabody Institute. She taught fourth, sixth, and eighth grade at Sharpe Elementary before joining the faculty at Murray State in 1945. Through her outreach, she helped educate over 250 elementary teachers within the state and was affectionately known by Murray State President Sparks as “Miss Elementary Education of America.” In 1970, she became chairman of the Department of Elementary Education and was chosen as the 10th distinguished professor of the year in 1972. After nearly 41 years at Murray State, she retired from teaching. The “Rubie E. Smith” scholarship for elementary education was established in her name.
Scope and Content: Collection consists of Smith’s personal writings and journals, newspaper clippings featuring her accomplishments, and poems.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Smith, Rubie -- Murray State University
Education -- Elementary Education
Scholarship -- Sharpe Elementary
