Mary Jim Commer

Mary Jim Bell Commer was born May 27, 1937 in Jefferson, Georgia to Gurnie Turner Bell, Sr. and Cammie Lucille Bell. She grew up on the farm with her mother and father and 5 siblings (2 brothers and 3 sisters) working on the farm. Mary had fond memories of working and exploring on the farm with her brother and caring for her younger siblings.

She was the first in the family to attend college. She attended the University of Georgia for 3 years until she married Thomas Jack Smith in 1959. They share two daughters, Teresa Smith Durand and Terri Jo Smith Reeves. She then worked in Atlanta for Westinghouse for a short period after she got married. Mary became a stay-at-home mother when Teresa was born. After Terri Jo was born, they decided Jack should start his own business in which she was an integral part, doing all of the support work needed for a successful CPA firm while still being a stay-at-home mother. She picked and preserved vegetables and fruit all summer from the farm and provided her family with wonderful home cooked meals as she taught her girls how to cook. She was always creative and fun. Her daughters might come home from school to be surprised by a beautifully redecorated room, or a haunted house in the hallway. She was always making cookies, making messes, making costumes, and making fun. She taught her children and all the children who flocked around her to appreciate God’s creation, to love each other and enjoy life. She was always the fun mommy, grandmother and aunt. She did not like to be the center of attention but put everyone else’s needs above her own.

In 1990 she married Don C. Commer. They were blessed with 32 years of a happy marriage. They enjoyed living on the lake, and entertaining family. Everyone was always welcome and felt at home the minute they arrived. She always strived to make things special for her family and guests and drew her pleasure from watching the grandkids enjoy themselves. She had fun traveling for many years in their plane with Don as her pilot. They brought joy to each other’s lives, sharing many adventures together.

She is pre-deceased by her parents and sister Geraldine Bell, son-in-law Jody Durand; step-sons Steven Commer and Mark Commer. She is survived by husband Don C. Commer; daughters, Teresa Durand and Terri Jo Reeves; son-in-law Michael Reeves; step-daughter Kim Turnbow, step-son David Commer, daughter-in-law Lynn Elgin, 13 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, sisters Barbara Brooke and Sue Iodice, and brothers Raymond Bell and Gurnie Bell, Jr., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was extremely proud of them all. She considered herself very blessed.

A visitation for Mary will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sandy Springs Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 1:00 PM, from the chapel of Sandy Springs Chapel Funeral Directors, interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. A catered reception will immediately follow the graveside service on Sunday, at Sandy Springs Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sandyspringschapel.com for the Commer family.