Mary Colaw Smith

Norfolk - Mary C. Smith peacefully entered her Heavenly Home to live with her Lord on August 4, 2012. Mary was blessed with 97 years of wonderful memorable times with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other loving family members and friends. Mary was the daughter of James M. Colaw of Monterey, VA and Mary A. Gragg of Durbin, WV.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, William A. Smith Jr.; her sisters, Mona Feather and Velma Sutton; and two brothers, Russell Colaw and Vernon Colaw. Left to cherish her memory are her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along with her two brothers and many other loving family members and friends.

Mary was born near Durbin, WV. She was a retired Registered Nurse from Davis and Elkins Memorial Hospital in Elkins, West VA. After doing post graduate work in New Jersey, she then moved to Richmond, VA where she worked in several hospitals. She was a member of East Laburnum Presbyterian Church for 17 years and then moved to Norfolk, VA in 1957. She was a member of Norview Presbyterian Church for approximately 53 years and then joined Calvin Presbyterian Church. She was active in Sunday School and in different organizations of Presbyterian women's work. She went to Massanetta Springs for several summers as nurse for the Presbyterian Women's Conference. She worked as a private duty nurse at DePaul Hospital for 17 years. Mary loved nursing and her motto was "Nursing is a life of serving and helping those in need."

God has richly blessed us with Mary's beautiful life. Her sweet peaceful spirit and her strong faith has always been a constant witness in her life. She loved visiting the mountains and spending time with her brothers and sisters. Pictures in our minds of her joyous laugh, gentle touch and warm smile will live forever in our hearts. She will be truly missed by us all.

The celebration of Mary's life will be conducted at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, Norview Chapel on Norview Ave. in Norfolk, VA on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. The Reverend Vernon Murray will officiate. Her earthly resting place will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Mary requested donations be made to the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.fightms.com. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.smithandwilliamsnorfolk.com.