Mary Frances Smith's Obituary
Mary Frances Thornton Smith died on January 7, 2017. She was 103 years old. She was born October 8, 1913 to Alice Moffitt Russell and Louis Dibbrell Thornton. For 70 years she was the wife of Ernle Gordon Smith, Jr. Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughter, Anne Gordon Burt (Gary), Seabrook Island, South Carolina, and her son, Robert Thornton Smith, St. Augustine, Florida; two grandsons: Joshua Orion Smith, Fairbanks, Alaska and Christopher Harris Best (Tara), Plano, Texas; six granddaughters: Ashley Thornton Mattison (Karl), Silver Spring, Maryland; Meredith Anne Williams (Robert), Charlotte, North Carolina; Laurie Dustin Bianchi (Michael), Oak Island, Washington; Amber Rose Zins (Ryan), Anchorage, Alaska; Victoria Renae Smith and Natalie Lauren Smith, Plano, Texas; eleven great grandchildren: Lauren and Charlotte Mattison, Silver Spring, Maryland; Nevin and Tyler Williams, Charlotte, North Carolina; Tiannah and Ariannah Smith of Fairbanks, Alaska; Hudson and Harper Zins, Anchorage, Alaska; Samuel and Abigail Bianchi, Oak Island, Washington; and Gavin Best, Plano, Texas; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernle Gordon Smith, Jr. and her youngest son, Henry Laurie Smith. Mrs. Smith was a graduate of John Marshall High School, Richmond, Virginia and attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She met and married her husband in Richmond, Virginia., where they lived until he was called for active duty in World War II. At the end of the war, Mrs. Smith and her family moved to University Park, Texas, where they lived for more than 50 years and were devoted members of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of The Assistance League of Dallas. In 1998 she and her husband moved to Presbyterian Village North. The family is grateful to the caregivers at Presbyterian Village North and especially to Carol Boswell and Francisca Luna. Arrangements by Restland Funeral Home. Burial will be private. If memorials are desired, the family suggests that they be made to The Currie Class Fund or The Friday Fellowship Reserve Fund – Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75205. The service for Mary Smith will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 14, 2017 in The Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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