The life of Mary Lucille Smith, affectionately called “Mary Sue,” began on August 17, 1942 and she took her eternal rest with Jesus on Monday, December 25, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Mulford Smith; her parents, Carl Stokes and Alice Jones Morgan; her brother, Sherman Jones Sr., and her sister, Inez Carter.

Mary was educated in the Mathews County Public Schools system. At an early age she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and became a member of First Baptist Church, Mathews. Mary was a stay-at-home mother and a caregiver to many children in the county. All of the children in Mary’s care were showered with her love, which transcended from one generation to another. She showed her love and care through cooking, baking, and by sending holiday, birthday, and anniversary cards to family and friends.

She was the family photographer, making her the go-to person for those one-of-a-kind pictures. Mary enjoyed history and researching the family legacy. Her passion for history and research assisted the late author, John W. Dixon, in the publication of his book, titled “The Black Americans of Gwynn’s Island,” which is housed in the Gwynn’s Island Museum.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory four children, Carmena Waters of Mathews, Va., Angela Thomas of Somerville, N.J., Melford Smith of Middlesex, Va., and Rochelle Green of Richmond, Va.; three grandsons, Craig Hiers and Kyle and Jayden Smith; two granddaughters, Enjoli Stewart and Melanie Smith; three great-grandchildren, Ariel Hiers and Michael and Layla Stewart; one brother, Raymond E. Jones, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 at First Baptist Church, Mathews. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m.-noon. The interment will be held at Windsor Gardens Cemetery, Dutton.

Arrangements entrusted to Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, Hudgins.