Mary Inez Smith

Mary Inez Smith, 87, of Springfield, CO went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 6, 2014. Mary was born in Floydada, TX on July 17, 1926 to Olen and Betty Hughs on the farm of her grandparents, Sam and Mary Poteet. The Hughs Family stayed in that area of Texas until 1944 when Mary graduated from Oklahoma Lane High School where she played and learned to love basketball. Soon after, the family moved to Springfield, CO where Mary met her future husband, JR Smith. Smith was a veteran of WWII and employed by Shell Oil Co. Their marriage began a series of adventures that included 30 years in the grocery business, ownership of a motel and car wash, all while raising 3 children in the community of Springfield. Mary loved the people of her town and invested in them through church and community for over 60 years. She was involved in the Miss Baca County Pageants and was a member of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in 1983. Mary was a “lady” and enjoyed mentoring young women through her service and example. She believed you should stand up straight and hold your stomach in... But, she also affirmed that “pretty is as pretty does” and “you’re never fully dressed without a SMILE!” Mary loved having friends and family in her home and was never happier than when a crowd gathered. Everyone was always WELCOME in the Smith Home! Mary loved to laugh and, even when times were hard, it was her positive attitude that set her apart from most. Family was very important to Mary and it was reinforced every summer at the Poteet and, later Hughs Family Reunions where she enjoyed the tradition of performing with her sisters in the “talent” show. All of her life, she loved music and she loved to dance and, the reunion was the greatest opportunity to enjoy both. Mary’s relationships were precious to her and her identity was in them....as a daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend. She faced life with optimism that complimented those around her. Mary worked hard throughout her life but, never more-so than when she cared for her husband, JR in his last years. She joined family and friends in laying him to rest in the Fall of 2012 in Springfield. Since then, she has lived in Canyon, TX. Even in the short time she lived in Canyon, she continued to enlarge her joy-filled circle of influence with laughter and friendship. Mary had become “May” with the addition of GREAT-grandkids and, that is the name that followed her to Canyon and ON to the Gates of Heaven....her most wonderful Family Reunion. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, JR Smith, and her son, Jerry Smith; her parents, Olen and Betty Hughs; her brothers, Edd Hughs and WT Hughs; her sister, Jane Hasty; and her son-in-law, Ronnie Mooney. Survivors include daughters, Elizabeth Jane and husband Darrell Shew of Helena, MT, Mary Katherine Mooney of Canyon, TX; sister Betty and husband Leroy Vogel of SanAntonio, TX; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Garland, Jarrod Shew; Chad, Ryan, and Josh Higgins; Rosalind and Bo Smith; and twelve great grandchildren. A heartfelt thank you to those at BSA Home Hospice, True Blessings, and Right at Home for caring for their loving care. The family suggests memorials be to True Blessings and Right at Home - 4 Griffin Dr, Canyon, TX 79015 or BSA Hospice - PO Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176.