Springtime in the Colorado Mountains, snow is melting, rivers are flowing, and the fish are biting. So Mary loaded her car with the essentials: the Coleman cooler, fishing poles, and tackle box, food and beverages, and of course, some good old-school R&B music. With some of her favorites being Tyrone Taylor, Al Green, the Temptations, Mary was ready to embark on one of her favorite pastimes.

This is Mary's Tour "Love and Happiness." Thursday, November 1, 1945, imagine a time in the world riddled with wars in Europe and the Pacific. Nonetheless, in the small town of Palestine, Texas, a beautiful shimmer of light shined.  It may have been late fall, but the Magnolia and Dogwood trees still had flowers on them, and the Smith family was expecting their sixth child to be born. Parents Mr. Henry Smith and Zenada Smith and siblings waited in suspense of whether a son or daughter would join the family.  A big family already with three girls Alma, Doris, and Darlene, and two boys George and William; whether a boy or girl, the family prayed for a healthy child.

At last, she was here. Growing up one of fifteen children, Mary was always surrounded by an abundance of love. Shortly after making her grand appearance, the family grew with three more sons, Lee, Lester, and Johnny, and six more daughters Marie, Margaret, Diane, Laura, Lavern, and Eldora.

Mary was educated in Palestine, TX, attending AM Story High School. In 1962 Mary moved to Ft. Worth, TX. Shortly after, Mary started her own family and began working to support them. Giving birth to four children was one of Mary's most cherished accomplishments. Mother to Toni, Felicia, Rodrick, and Terry brought more "Love and Happiness" than she could comprehend.

Up for a new adventure, because we all know Mary was a busy body, The Smith family moved to the

Mile High City during the Christmas Blizzard of 1982. An exciting adventure; being from Texas, the family had never seen snow before Denver. Mary's new Home for her family, she then found a soulmate in Mr. Donnie Earl. Mary and Donnie were married for nineteen years until he passed; their life together was filled with "Love and Happiness."

Mary worked in the laundry services for the Holiday Inn hotel. Moreover, Mary worked at Saint Joseph Hospital and Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center until she retired after over twenty years. Mary's professions allowed her to provide a home for her family at 2713 High Street Denver, Colorado. Their Home to this day where the family can gather, a place filled with just that, love and happiness.  Mary knew God and professes the Lord Christ Jesus as her savior and was an Mt. Caramel Baptist Church member.

On any given day, you could find Mary dressing to the "T," painting the town with her best friends Gail Sidler and Joyce Flemings or being in the house doing what she loved, cooking. A chef in the kitchen, Mary loved to cook soul food and her famous peach cobbler. When she wasn't cruising around, traveling, or junking, you could find Mary on her porch or catching up, or her daytime shows Jerry Springer or Maury. The foundation of her now big family, the glue that bonded it. Mary was the epitome of love and happiness. If you were to ask Mary what brings her the most joy, the answer is simple, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family-oriented, Mary would always be filled with joy and a smile when everyone would come over.

Thursday, June 3, 2021, Mary crossed that crystal river where "Love and Happiness." Some love ones were there to greet her, playing Soul Heaven by Johnny Taylor. Her husband Donnie Earl, her son Terry Smith II, her parents Henry Smith and Zenada Smith, her brother George H, sisters Doris Smith and Lavern Smith. One could never LOVE someone as much as they will miss them. The life Mary lived will echo through eternity in the lives of her children Toni Carter, Felicia Smith, Rodrick Smith, and bonus son Derrick Griggs.  Mary's siblings Alma J. Smith, Darlene Smith (Joseph), Lee C. Smith (Patsy), Marie Smith, Lester Smith, Johnny Smith, Margaret F. Alexander, Diane Speed (Willie),

Laura Washington (Carl) and Eldora Smith, plus a host of grandchildren, great-grandchild, and a host of nephews and nieces.   Mary will be remembered for her and with "Love and Happiness."