Mary Lee Smith

Mary Lee Smith, one of 16 children born to the union of the late James Thomas and Phoebe Stella (Treadaway) Tarlton, was born July 31, 1918 in Lilesville, North Carolina. Mary grew up in Wadesboro, North Carolina where she attended school. On May 15, 1937, Mary was united in marriage to a United States Army soldier, Dewey Smith, Jr. They shared over 72 years of marriage together and were blessed with four children: Sidney, Dewey III, Peggy and Shirley. Dewey preceded her in death on August 30, 2009. Due to Dewey being in the military, Mary and the family moved to several military installations including Germany and Fort Leonard Wood. When they came to Fort Leonard Wood, Mary and Dewey decided to stay in the Pulaski County area and continue to raise their children. For most of her working years, Mary was able to stay at home and raise her family. For a short time, she worked in the cotton mill, Harold Little Manufacturing. In her spare time, she enjoyed doing needlework, especially embroidery and cross stitch. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family. At an early age, Mary made a profession of faith and on Saturday, November 7, 2015 she went home to be with her Lord in her home in St. Robert, Missouri having attained the age of 97 years. Mary will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, two sons: Sidney Smith (Christiann) of St. Robert, MO, and Dewey Smith III (Julie) of Tallahassee, FL; two daughters: Peggy Davis of Leesburg, FL and Shirley Wedgeworth of Shreveport, LA; a sister: Ethel Tarlton of Wadesboro, NC; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and a number of great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by six infant siblings: Ernest, Lee, Grover, James, Carl and Elsie; and eight siblings: Minnie, Robert, John, Earl, Walter, Fred, Helen and Etta. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2015 in the Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville, Missouri with Pastor John Shaw and Pastor Lindell Shelden officiating. Serving as escorts were family and friends. Burial followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Mary Lee Smith

July 31, 1918 - November 7, 2015