Mary Louise SMITH

SMITH, Mary Louise, 83, of Henrico, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Widow of Ashton V. Smith, whom she was married to for 44 years before his death in 1998. Mary Louise was born in Madison County, Va. on October 27, 1925 to Alfred Dutton Carpenter and Louise Sedwick Carpenter. She is survived by her son, Rev. Dr. Ashton C. Smith and his wife, Lori, of Vincent, Ohio; her daughter, Rebecca S. Hartman and her husband, Peter, of Richmond; two grandchildren, Sarah Ashton and Tanner Clark. Mary Louise graduated from Madison County High School and Smithdeal-Massey Business College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in 1976. She served Richmond Public Schools as an administrative assistant for 39 years. She was a Life Member of Richmond Educational Office Professionals, Virginia Educational Office Professionals and the National Educational Office Professionals. She was a founding member of Richmond Educational Office Personnel in 1979. Mary Louise was a devoted member of Seventh Street Christian Church and an active member of the Christian Women's Ministries. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2009 at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd., where a celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009. Burial will follow at Robinson River Primitive Baptist Church, Brightwood, Va. at 3 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seventh Street Christian Church, 4101 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va., 23221.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.