Mary Sue Grant Smith

Mary Sue Grant was born January 28, 1928 in Abilene, Texas. Daughter of James Spencer Grant and Rosa May McDermett Grant, she joined older siblings, Glenna, Tommy, and John Mack. She grew up in and around Abilene.

Since her father was a school teacher and principal at small, rural schools, she began first grade before she was 5 and graduated from Merkel High School where she was known for her warm, friendly smile. At age 20 she graduated from Abilene Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

She and friends were recruited to leave Texas to teach at a fledgling Christian school, Columbia Christian School, in Portland OR. She obtained her teaching certificate over the summer and headed to the Northwest in 1948. She taught 4th grade at Columbia and became part of a large and active young adult group at Central Church of Christ. Also in that group was Edgar Smith, the handsome youngest son of a prominent church family. He quickly fell for her engaging smile and they married at 10 am on Tuesday, August 1, 1950, so that they could keep her family’s tradition of August weddings and to avoid the Texas afternoon heat.

In January, 1951, they moved to Los Angeles, CA where the first two of their children were born. The next few years saw moves to Fresno and Sacramento where the next 3 of their children were born. In 1964 they returned to Portland where their 6th child was born. They moved to Salem in 1966 where Mary Sue worked for the State of Oregon Personnel Department. She used that position to full advantage, procuring 3 of her children their first jobs with the State. Their years in Salem were followed by a move to Prineville before a return to Portland where she worked for Oregon Department of Human Services.

She retired in 1991 after 25 years of public service. After retirement she cared for her grandchildren, made quilts for grandkids and church babies, crocheted, and gardened. When her sight diminished she used Oregon Commission for the Blind Books on Tape to continue her enjoyment of reading. In 2005 they returned to Salem, attending the Keizer Church of Christ. In these years she enjoyed visits from her family, having the Bible read to her, listening to books on tape, and listing to music on CD, especially her beloved a cappella hymns. She made friends everywhere she lived and the smile that was evident early in her life was still there at the end.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years; her children, Kathy and Martin, Phil and Karen, Janet, Duane and Melody, Carolyn and Steve, and Tim; 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She loved and was loved. She returned to God’s eternal light on May 16, 2016.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Keizer Church of Christ. Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR.