Mary Opal Smith, 94, Marion, after a short illness, went to be with the Lord at 12:02 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Colonial Oaks Healthcare and Rehab, Marion. She still lived in her own home with minimal assistance from Lori for housekeeping and her son and daughter-in-law for errands and appointments.
Mary was born near Ashland, Kentucky, to Henry and Blanch (Hatfield) Hart, and frequently went home for family visits. Her family attended Hoods Creek Baptist Church and was a descendant of the Hatfield family. Very early in life, Mary suffered the loss of her father. Her mother later married Byron Griffith, who loved her and raised her as his own.
When Mary was a teenager, she met and fell in love with Clyde W. Smith. They married, had three children. Clyde was in the Army during WWII and stationed in Japan. Later, they lived near Fairborn, Ohio for a short time where they both worked at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In 1947, they moved to Van Buren, Indiana to be near Clyde’s parents. Mary was employed at the Shoe Factory in Marion prior to working in the white room at RCA for 28 years until her retirement. When raising her own family, after a hard day’s work at the factory, she would go home and tend to her garden and canning. Mary enjoyed baking and cooking, especially for family and friends on weekends and holidays. Fried chicken was her favorite to make for Sunday dinner. In her later years, Mary developed an interest in word searches and her granddaughters always made sure she had a supply of books on hand. She visited with her neighbor, Kathy and enjoyed going with Kathy to watch her grandchildren’s sporting events. She dearly loved her own grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. William was a joy to her with his beautiful smile. They all loved her, she was their “Granny” and the family will hold her in their hearts forever.
She will be missed by her son, Clyde (Carolyn) Smith, Marion; grandchildren, Kelly (Greg) Battas, Fishers, Terry (Mike) Grigsby, Florida, Mark (Sara) Story, Huntington, and Mike Story, Van Buren; great-grandchildren, Brandon Battas, Fishers, Tyler Battas, Fishers, Courtney Grigsby, Florida, Jacob Grigsby, Florida, and Kaylee Story, Van Buren, Devin (Amber) Diehl, Van Buren and Sydney Diehl; 2 great-great granddaughters; siblings, Silas Hart, Louisville, Kentucky, and Hazel Stephens, Marion; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Henry Hart and Blanch (Hatfield) Hart-Griffith; step-father, Byron Griffith; husband of 56 years, Clyde W. Smith; children, Henry Arthur Smith and Dianna Gail Smith-Story; siblings, Inas Huff and Barbara Hardy; grandson, Ronald Smith; and great-grandson, William Story.
The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. The funeral service for Mary will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Mick Simpkins officiating. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Gardens of Memory.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Guardians of the Children.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.