Mary 'Mae' Smith

Mary Smith was born in Portageville, Missouri to Walter Smith and Mary Catherine (Whitfield) Smith on June 10, 1951. Mary was part of a family of ten children. She received her primary education in Missouri before her family relocated to Des Moines.

Mary graduated from North High School and went on to further her education at Des Moines Area Community College where she majored in Communications. Boy, could she communicate! Mary could talk to anybody about anything! She loved politics, President Obama and watching Msnbc, so she could discuss the hot topics of the day.

Mary was employed by Mercy Medical Center as a Nursing Secretary on 9 South. Her friendly smile and easy going teasing greeted you when you visited the floor. She started working for Mercy in 1987. Her co-workers on 9 South were more than that, they were like her second family. Mary retired in 2017 after 30 years of service.

Mary was a member of Mt. Hebron Baptist church under the leadership of the late Pastor James Harris, for many years. She was a member of the senior choir and choir secretary; assistant choir mother for the JMH choir; assistant church clerk and later church clerk and Assistant Financial Secretary. In 2003 Mary moved her membership to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Clifford C. Wright, where she served as an usher.

While work and church were important in Marys life; the most important people to Mary were her family. She loved spending time with her family; cooking, sewing, watching the Cowboys games or a western on TV. She so loved her grandchildren and the love of her life, Earnest Smith. Ernie and Mary loved and cared for each other for 40 years. She was very close to her siblings and sisters in law, also.

Mary passed away after a courageous fight against cancer on September 14, 2017. Waiting to welcome her to the other side are her parents, Walter and Mary Smith; her sisters, Lue Alice, Willie and Rose and her brothers, James, Nathaniel and Walt Jr.

Left to cherish Marys memory are her children, Ericka Abston, Nashonda Smith and Cassey (Terrance) Spencer; her long time companion, Earnest Smith; her siblings Charlene Lee, Catherine (Emanuel) Weaver, Albert (Roseanne) Smith, Frank (Gretchen) Smith, Dallas (Shelia) Smith and Jerry (Tracy) Smith; her grandchildren, Raven, Lawrence Jr, Antwan, Antania and her great grandchildren, Brielle, DreSean and Rea; along with her girls from 9 South, extended family and many friends.Visitation









Friday, September 22, 2017

10:00am - 6:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

Family will greet friends from 3 to 5 pm.









Friday, September 22, 2017

4:00 - 6:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

Celebration of Life









Saturday, September 23, 2017

Starts at 1:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home