On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Marjorie Elizabeth Jackson Koehler Smart, 96, passed peacefully in the presence of family.
Marjorie was born on August 19, 1925 in Greenville, NC and was the only daughter of Mr. W. Farrell and Mrs. Margaret Jackson. She was a graduate of Greenville High School, Class of 1943, and went on to study at Greenville College before moving with her parents to Havelock where she was eager to work at the newly formed MCAS at Cherry Point, beginning as a candy striper and editing field manuals by the time she retired. She married Major Elmer Frank Koehler in February of 1951. The couple moved to Virginia where their only son, Steven Douglas Koehler, was born in 1956. Marjorie later married Major William Darryl Smart, a Korean War Naval Aviator, in April of 1965. They retired from Cherry Point MCAS and made their home in Havelock until his death in 2012. Marjorie then moved to New Bern where she continued her artwork and civic volunteerism until this year.
Marjorie was a prolific and talented local artist, beginning in 1971. She served for several years through the 70’s and 80’s on the Havelock Art Guild and the Carteret County Arts and Crafts Coalition, as well as the Onslow Art Society, holding various offices and promoting art education and appreciation in Eastern North Carolina. She studied a wide variety of styles, working in several art media. However, Chinese brush had always fascinated her and she studied brush painting under Hsi Mei, of Circle 10 Gallery, for four years. Her artwork has been featured for many years in several galleries including The Bank of The Arts in Downtown New Bern.
As a member of St Christopher’s Episcopal Church, she designed many of the church’s bulletins including pen and ink drawing of the church featured on their letterhead and bulletin covers. In 1985, Marjorie won the logo contest for Trinity Center, a conference center and camp owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina at Pine Knoll Shores, NC.
Marjorie always loved drawing clowns, and that same year, 1985, she won the international logo contest for the Clowns of America International. She joined Havelock’s Clown Alley shortly thereafter, became “Knotzo Smart”, her clown persona, and entertained so many people in the Havelock Parades, local schools, events and nursing homes.
Knotzo Smart is survived by her rescued fur friend, Nearly Smart, a senior terrier feist mix.
Marjorie will be dearly missed in her community, and is survived by her grateful family:
Her son Steven and his wife Rebecca Koehler of New Bern, 3 grandchildren, Leif, Shawn and Francis, 8 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, with another on the way.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
1100 E Main St, Havelock, NC 28532. She will be laid to rest following the service in the church columbarium with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Havelock NC.
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