Mary Frances Smith-Burrus

Mary Frances Burrus-Smith, age 86, of Tyler, went to be with the Lord in the late afternoon hours of Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Penny Rella Home Care in Tyler. She was born on May 14, 1926 in McHue, Arkansas to Sam Cecil and Tronie Lee (Stewart) Jones; they preceded her in death. Mary was the eldest girl of a family with 2 sisters and 5 brothers; she practically raised her 2 youngest brothers. She worked for years as a young adult in her father's beloved Tyler Piano Store near downtown Tyler. She later worked as a secretary for her husband at their insurance company. She also served as State Commander of Navy Mothers Club of Texas. Mary was a life-long Christian, a Methodist, and a member of Pollard United Methodist Church. She was a doll collector and loved her time as a volunteer at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital for 20 years from 1985 to 2005. Mary was very generous towards her children and grandchildren. She endured the tragic loss of many close to her, her first son Michael Todd as a toddler, 2 husbands, and 2 grandsons. Those who knew her well will remember her as a very nurturing sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother who was self-sacrificing, loving, generous, and a true southern lady.

Mary is survived by 3 sons, David Smith, and wife Liz, of Dripping Springs, TX, Alan Smith, and wife Kathleen, of Tyler, and Clay Smith, and wife Cindy, of Coahoma, TX; 6 grandchildren, Laura, Julie, Anna, Brandon, Courtney, and Camille; 4 great-grandchildren, Emmerson, Sloane, Taj, and Meadow; 4 brothers, Bob, Jeff, Sam, James; and by 1 sister, Nina Jean.

A memorial service for Mary Burrus-Smith will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 22, 2012 at Pollard United Methodist Church (3030 Copeland Rd., Tyler) with Rev. Richard Luna and Rev. Rob Fisher officiating. A private family burial will be held at Tyler Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2 – 4 P.M., Sunday afternoon at Lloyd James Funeral Home.