Deaconess Mary L. Smith gained her wings on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Heartland Manor Care, Lynchburg, VA. She was in the company of the Lord and her loving daughter, Eva, holding her hand when she slipped away to be with the Lord.

She was born August 17, 1923, to the late Eva Anderson Sandidge and reared by two father figures, the late Deacon Eugene Campbell, and the late Deacon Earl Sandidge. She was preceded in death by her sister, Eunice Sandidge; her late husband, Thomas D. Smith; son-in-law, Percy Jones; and two grandchildren, Felix Jones, and Jennifer Jones all of Amherst, VA.

Accepting Christ at a young age, Mary Louise Smith joined Jerusalem Baptist Church in Amherst County. She often mentioned that she was one of the founding members of Jerusalem Baptist Church currently New Jerusalem Baptist Church. She was a member of the Senior Choir, Pastor's Aide, Missionary Ministry, and Kitchen Committee. Deaconess Smith was the "Mother of the Church" respectfully. Deaconess Smith faithfully enjoyed attending church. She also enjoyed listening to gospel music and sermons and reading her bible. She always had a way of making you laugh and always kept a Big Beautiful smile. She loved traveling with family and friends, recreational outings, and family gatherings.

She was our grandmother, but she was "Granny" to everyone who knew and loved her. One of her most memorable moments in her church was the role she played as Mrs. Live Right in the traveling Gospel Train play. Let's not forget those big Sunday dinners, homemade hot butter biscuits, cakes, and famous chocolate meringue pies, made exclusively for birthdays and holiday celebrations.

She leaves to cherish loving and historic memories, her daughter, Eva Jones of Madison Heights, VA; one brother-in-law, Deacon Bobby Campbell, Lowesville, VA; three granddaughters, Rochelle Jones-Anyumba (Dr. George Anyumba), Rosedale, MD, Cheryl Jones, Marlow Heights, MD, and Beatrice Booker (Sylvester), Amherst, VA; four great-granddaughters, Relante Jones, Richmond, VA, Kyana Curtis (M Sgt. Willie Curtis), Waldorf, MD, Dr. Bianca Jones-Mokobia (Chuckuyem), Houston, TX, and Bijoana Booker, Madison Heights, VA; two great-grandsons, Jaquan Wade and Sgt. Dan Anyumba; five great-great-grandchildren, Ali Pruitt, Jr., Serrone and Roman Curtis, Ari Pruitt, and Zuri Jones-Mokobia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 21, 2022, at Davis-Turner Funeral Service. Interment will be in the New Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery, Amherst, Virginia. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Amherst County Habitat for Humanity. A Memorial fund has been established in memory of Mary "Granny" Smith benefiting the construction of House #41 & #42.

Amherst County Habitat

Mary Smith Memorial Fund

PO Box 1397 Amherst, VA 24521

OR

amhersthabitat.org