Mary F. Smith

MARY FRANCIS (FOYE) SMITH was born August 30, 1936 in Goldsboro, North Carolina to the late Leslie R. Foye and Minnie Odell (Kornegay) Foye Jones. She was also the stepdaughter of the late Johnny Jones, Sr. She departed this life on December 25, 2024, at an assisted living facility after a long illness. As a child, Mary had bright red hair and was lovingly called Redz by many family members and friends. She was educated in the public schools of Goldsboro, North Carolina, graduating in the top ten of her class at Dillard High School in 1955. In 1957, she followed her sister, Julia, to Maryland and began working at Crownsville State Hospital, where she met and married the love of her life, the late Willie F. Smith, on December 25, 1958. From this union three children were born, Gerard, Gwendolyn, and Cassandra. Mary was a loving and caring wife, remaining dedicated to Willie Fred until his death in 1991 after a long illness. In 1961, Mary graduated from the Licensed Practical Nursing School at Crownsville State Hospital as an LPN. Over the years she was employed as a nurse at Crownsville State Hospital, then as a private duty nurse and finally worked in the University of Maryland Medical System. She retired from the University of Maryland in 1998 with 30 years of services as a psychiatric nurse. Mary was baptized at an early age at Mt. Zion Disciples Church, Goldsboro, NC. In the early 70’s, she became a member of Morning Star Baptist Church, Catonsville, MD where she served for many years on the Sr. Usher Board. She was a dedicated and faithful member of Morning Star until her health prevented her from participating. Mary was a kind, generous and spirited soul who unselfishly poured love into her family and friends. She really did not make friends; she made family. Once you entered her orbit, you became family. Mary loved to cook, especially “big pot” cooking. Her holiday and special occasion spreads were famous. If you came to her house, you always left full in body and spirit. Her home was always filled with warmth, love, and of course food. Mary was preceded in death by two sisters, Julia and Hilda, and four brothers, Leslie, Johnny, Sam and Larry. She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Gerard Smith (Lori); two daughters, Gwendolyn Cooper (Mark) and Cassandra Woods (Fred); three grandsons, Derek Cooper, Sean Cooper and Nathan Smith; four granddaughters Amber Woods Smyth (Barry), Jordan Smith (Kirstie), Jalen Woods and Jasmine Woods; great-granddaughter, Aoife Woods-Smyth; sister, Yolanda Wooten (Jimmy); two sisters-in law, Patricia Hicks and Mabel Smith; long time sister-friend, Doris Lynch; dedicated care-giver, Kenyatta Brooks; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. We give thanks to God, for her loving, fruitful life and for all she contributed. We celebrate her and are forever grateful for the countless ways she enriched our lives

Tributes

Mary F. Smith

August 30, 1936 - December 25, 2024