Mary L. Smith

Born on February 5, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late James and Rosa Lee Howard, Mary was a woman of quiet strength, steady faith, and boundless compassion. She answered her calling as a Licensed Practical Nurse, first serving at Cheshire Convalescent Home in Cheshire, Connecticut, and later caring for private patients so they might be treated with the dignity and tenderness she believed every soul deserved.

On February 23, 1962, she married her husband, William Smith. Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend whose gentle spirit reflected Christ’s love in her daily life.

Mary found joy in life’s simple blessings—spending time with her family, walking along the shore, tending her garden, and crocheting blankets that wrapped her family and friends not only in warmth, but in love. Her hands were generous, her heart unwavering, and her life a reflection of grace.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, William Smith; her daughters Jacqueline Smith, Valerie Smith, and Kimble Smith, her grandchildren Desiree Willer (Glen), Jessie Walton, Jonathan Smith, Jasmine Smith, Alivia Berrien, Joshua Smith, Cerenity Berrien, Jay Smith, Katrina Smith, and Layla Smith; her great-grandchildren Kennethia Henderson and Alexusia Ephraim her great-great-grandchildren Deondre Thomas, Dallas Thomas, Kendrick Willer, Paris Johnson, India Johnson, and Juliet Willer; her brother James Howard, sister Willa Dean Garrett; nephews Jonathon Lewis, LaDarrle Parker, Alexjandro Parker (Rhonda), Bryant Garrett, Corey Newman, Kyle Walker, Marquez Parker, River Mohan; nieces Doretha Howard, Arnise Parker Walker, Angela Newman, Monique Robinson, Kristan Mohan (Jake), Alexandria Walker, Leilanni Parker, Celeste Parker, Cheyenne Parker, and Fin Mohan. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews. And Nicole Sykes and Crystal Assam whom she thought of as daughters.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents James and Rosa Lee Howard; her children Alonzo Smith and Laquita Smith; her grandchildren Lakenya Hicks and Bernard Ross Smith; her brother William Howard; and her sisters Eleanor Lewis, Annie Lee Jackson, and Brenda Newman. Nephew Robert Parker and James Howard, niece Timeako Garrett and many more nephews and nieces.

Her love remains stitched into the fabric of her family, and her faith now rests in the presence of the Lord.

A visitation will be held at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, located at 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763, on March 7, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. Following the visitation, a funeral service will take place at the same location from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A committal service will be conducted at Deltona Memorial Gardens, also at 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763, at 2:00 pm on the same day.