Mary Lou Smith

Mary Lou was born January 31, 1930 in Ft Worth, Texas to Burl & Dicey Lou Howington. She married Charles Ed Smith on June 22, 1946. Mary & Charles both grew up in Ft Worth & eventually built their home in Everman, Texas where they lived for over 50 years. Mary Lou was a successful business owner. She created Smith’s Bridal & Catering in 1969, after planning both of her oldest daughters’ weddings. She loved to express her creativity, have fun & throw a big party.

Mary Lou was baptized Baptist, & later confirmed Episcopal at St Timothy’s Church in Ft Worth, & continued, her faith journey to the Catholic Church in 1995. She enjoyed her Church community, often talked about the joys of Heaven & frequently said “Alleluia”, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”! She made people smile with her joyful personality!

Life was meant to be celebrated & to have fun, she especially enjoyed family. Mary Lou loved to party & travel. She hosted lots of pool parties, family & friend gatherings. Mary Lou & Charles enjoyed playing golf in their retirement. She celebrated three hole in ones! She enjoyed the slot machines in Vegas while sipping her Colorado Bull Dog.

Service to the poor & elderly were important to Mary Lou. She volunteered at the Nursing Home, cared for her aging & sick parents, sent thousands of cards, & brought meals to people working on holidays. She never met a stranger & handing out sticks of gum & hershey kisses, seals of xoxo were her trademarks.

She was truly an “All American” Grannie Smith to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Hope, AnneMarie, Mark Church, Ava Becker Church, & Luke and Lily Harrison, Gavin, Connor, Tyler & Brianna Shipp.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughters Linda Church, Allen, Texas; Susan Bilardi (Matt), of Azle, Texas; Brother, John Howington (Mary), Sister-in-Laws, Sue Howington & Patty Smith. Grandchildren, Angela Harrison, Christopher Church (Karyn), Gregory Church (Tina) Stephanie Shipp, & Stephen Shipp (Michelle).

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents Burl & Dicey, Daughter & Son-in-Law, Don & Sandra Shipp, Son- in-Law, Timothy Church, Grandson-in-Law, Billy Harrison, Brothers B.J. (Virginia), Jim Howington; Charles family: John & Hazel Smith; Ray (Claudia), Lloyd (Carolyn) & John Smith.

Contributions in her name can be made to Meals on Wheels, 600 N Tennessee St, McKinney, Texas 75069 or the St Jude Memorial Fund, 1515 N Greenville Ave, Allen, TX 75002; Online donation www.stjudeparish.com

Funeral streamed online at https://www.facebook.com/stjudesacraments

Heaven is your reward; Good and Faithful Servant, Mary Lou!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, located at 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, Texas 75002.

Following mass a reception will be held.

The burial service will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 2:30 PM at Everman Cemetery in South Fort Worth.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.