Mary Ann Smith

Mary Ann (Bennett) Smith born July 6, 1930 in Dallas, Texas. Mary Ann was anticipating celebrating New Year's Eve with friends when the Lord called her to come to her heavenly home where her beloved husband, Eugene Bragg Smith, Jr. was waiting for her. Mary Ann graduated from Sunset High School in 1947, where she enjoyed Irish Harp and elocution classes and was named "Most Beautiful Girl." She attended the University of Texas, transferred, and graduated from SMU with a degree in Speech and Drama. She performed leading roles in the Courtyard Playhouse and Dallas Little Theater. While making her Idlewild debut in 1952, Mary Ann was perfectly matched with the one who would escort her through life. She and Gene would have a "Camelot" life at E-S Ranch. There, they entertained for decades with many charities benefiting from the Smith hospitality. The Ranch was the setting for the first episodes of the popular TV series "Dallas," and Mary Ann became lifelong friends with several members of the cast. Mary Ann's life was filled with achievements and honors. She was past president of the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild and Les Femmes du Monde, and past chairman of the Dallas Symphony Ball. She served on the boards of the Northwood Institute, Women's Committee of the Dallas Theater Center, and United National Bank, and was a Trustee for the Museum Foundation of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. In 1963, the Dallas Times Herald chose Mary Ann as their Dallas "Woman of the Year." In 1973, she was honored as an outstanding alumna of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In 1982, Governor Bill Clements appointed her to the Texas Film Commission. For much of her life, Mary Ann gave dramatic presentations of Broadway plays. She would memorize all the lines and portray each character using a difference voice. She was particularly fond of British one-act plays. Mary Ann performed for private clubs, conventions, and at her friends' special events. She was a member of Dallas Country Club, where she regularly met family and friends for lunch, often followed by an afternoon at the movies. She was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church for many years where she enjoyed Sunday morning worship from "her" pew in the West transept, and the fellowship of her church circle. Wife, mother, grandmother, and friend-to know her was to love her. Survived by her three children and their spouses: Fay Sheehan (Dan); Ann Barbier-Mueller (Gabriel); and Bragg Smith III (Jill), along with eight grandchildren: Bennett Kohler (Megan); Elizabeth Kohler; Alexis Barbier-Mueller, Marie-Gabrielle "Niña" Tollett (Trevor), Emily Amacker (Brent), Oliver Barbier-Mueller, Samantha Smith and Eugene Bragg Smith IV. Also survived by her sister-in-law, Beverly Smith Lide and her daughters, Mary Kehoe (Chuck), Nita Hasty (Curtis), & Beverly Ware, & Beverly Bragg Ware. Special thanks to Judy and Glenn Haynes for their loving support and dear friendship to our family, and to Sada Lopez and Angie Wise. We will never forget our special friend and loyal caretaker, Canitha "Katie" Graning, for her love and kindness to mom and our entire family. Memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, SPCA of Texas, or the charity of your choice