Mary McWhorter Smith

Mary was born in Choctaw County April 24, 1925 to Rena and James Lawrence McWhorter of Chester. She graduated from Chester High School in 1943 as Valedictorian, obtained a Bachelors in Education from the University of Mississippi in 1947, and taught public school in Ackerman.

Mary married her childhood sweetheart, Bennett Edwin Smith of Weir, in 1945, just four days after his discharge from the U.S. Army Air Force. Mary and Bennett made their home in Jackson where they raised two children, Dr. Bennett Edwin Smith, Jr. (Gina) of Hattiesburg and Suzanne Smith Wise (Robert) of Jackson. She had eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Her grandchildren include Emily Elizabeth Smith of Hattiesburg, Mary Alicia Smith Mattern (Will) of Madison, Bennett Arthur Sharpe of Huntsville, Mary Catherine Sharpe of Jackson, Laura Young Louis of Nashville, Charles DeCell Young of Jackson, David Christian Smith, and Andrew Sherwood Wise of Jackson.

Her greatgrandchildren are Allyn Elizabeth Mattern and Mary Grayson Mattern of Madison, Anna Grace Smith of Hattiesburg, and Aziza DeCell Louis of Nashville.

Mary's family wishes to thank Alisha Dennis for her long-standing service for Mary.

Visitation is Saturday, November 28th at 9:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral followed by a Requiem Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral.

May Mary go from strength to strength in that perfect, continuing service that is everlasting life in Christ our Lord.

May Mary dwell with Christ in paradise, and come to your heavenly kingdom; through your Son Jesus our Lord. Amen.