Mary Palmer Smith

Mary Palmer Smith, lovingly known as “Stu” to her family, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Thursday, June 12, 2025. She was born on October 3, 1937, to George and Helen Palmer in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mary was a devoted Catholic whose life was defined by her immense patience, kind heart, and bright smile. She had a deep love for her family and was well-known for her passion for puzzles. Whether working through crosswords, logic problems, board games, or jigsaw puzzles, Mary’s sharp mind was always at work.

In 1962, Mary married her beloved husband, Allan Smith, and together they moved to Sacramento, California, where she briefly worked with a division of NASA. Their family grew, and in 1968, they relocated to Dunwoody, Georgia. There, Mary worked as a substitute teacher and math tutor before joining AT&T in 1977 as a computer programmer. Over the next 20 years, she not only excelled as a programmer but also was responsible for training incoming programmers for the company.

Mary’s love for learning and teaching extended beyond her professional career. For many years, she volunteered as a tax preparer for the elderly, offering her expertise and helping those in need. She was also an avid swimmer and tennis player, and even served as a line judge at professional tennis matches.

Mary is survived by her sister, Suzy Atwood; her brother, John Palmer (Val); and her children: Terri Laufer (Daniel), Steven Smith (Taryl), Carol Colby (Christopher), and David Smith (Jill). She was also a loving grandmother to her nine grandchildren- Benjamin, Brant, Dean, Ian, Kevin, Kyle, Randolph, Sarah and Vaughn.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, her parents, and her brother, Ran Palmer.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday July 21st. at St Peter Chanel in Roswell GA

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to causes that were close to Mary’s heart: Reading is Fundamental https://www.rif.org/how-to-helphttp://www.rif.org) or Catholic Relief Services ( http://www.crs.org)

Mary’s departure leaves a deep void in our hearts, but her legacy of love, wisdom, and faith will be cherished forever.

To offer your condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com.