Bertha "Mary Ann" Smith's Obituary
Our precious mother, Bertha “Mary Ann” Smith, age 100, went to the Lord on Saturday, August 12, 2017 while in the care of Hospice House. She was a resident of the Palms of Fort Myers for the past 7 years.Bertha was born and raised in the hills of North Carolina, the 8th child of 11 children born to William Monroe Johnson and Hannah Lucinda Padgett. She was the first of their children to graduate from high school. Bertha was a beautiful young girl, and in 1934 she was on the front porch of their country home when a certain NYC visitor, Clayton F. Smith, spotted her from afar and asked to be introduced. Clayton began to court her and quickly nicknamed her “Mary Ann” because he thought it was a better fit for a young girl who was pretty, sweet, kind, smart, with a good sense of humor. They had a long distant courtship for two years with weekly letters and Clayton’s occasional visits. In 1936, they got married at the court house and drove across country to Yellowstone National Park for their honeymoon. They settled New Jersey to be close to his family and work. Mary Ann’s life would never be the same.“Mary Ann” (Aunt Bertha to many) was warm, loving, considerate, hardworking, and very wise. Although quiet at times, she was a good listener and had a quick wit, often surprising us with a quip. Throughout her entire life, she provided unconditional love and support to her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is a woman to be celebrated not only for the love she gave, but for the way she lived her life, with honor, grace, integrity, warmth, and faith. She has been an inspiration to all her family for so many reasons, but most importantly for her spirit, which made her the person we all loved so very much.She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Clayton F. Smith, her grandson Leigh R. Smith and her parents, her 10 brothers and sisters and several nieces and nephews.She is survived by sons, Craig W. Smith and Kent B. Smith (Marie) and daughter, Nancy L. Starr (Richard); grandchildren Stacy Smith Velez (J.L.), Guy Brewster Smith (Molly), Julie Gilmore (Mike), Jessica Horton (Jay), Jeremy Luallen (Lauren), C. Benjamin Smith and Amy Smith. great grandchildren Leigh Jr., Avery, Brennan, and Ethan; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.We are grateful to have enjoyed a big family reunion in 2014 in celebration of her 98th birthday and a special celebration last year of her 100th birthday. She was a blessing to us and will be greatly missed.A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held September 9, 2017, at 3:00 PM at the Palms of Fort Myers, 2674 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers, Fl. 33901 in the 4th Floor Chapel.In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to your favorite charity in her name.There is also a tentative plan for a family service at the New Jersey Rahway Cemetery on Sept 16, 2017. More details will be provided to family later.
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