Mary Frances Smith Watkins

Mary Frances Smith Watkins, 79, of Troutville, Va., a loving mother, grandma, and greatgrandma, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Nelson Rankin Smith and Gertrude Brillhart Smith Bryant; and by her husband, William A. Watkins Jr. Surviving are her two dear sisters, Margaret Smith Tear, of Roanoke, Va., and Nell Smith Morris, also of Roanoke, Va.; her two devoted daughters, Mary Young Phillips (Midge), of Roanoke, Va., and Phyllis Young Hart and husband, Jim, of Goodview, Va.; her five loving grandchildren, Elizabeth Phillips Schlipper and husband, Kevin, of Charlottesville, Va., Nathan Murray Phillips, of Baltimore, Md., GySgt. Daniel Franklin Starkey II and wife, Stephanie, of Hampstead, N.C., Catherine Grace Harrington and husband, Matt, of Columbia, Pa., and Cynthia Starkey Waters and husband, Mark, of Roanoke, Va.; and her eight sweet greatgrandchildren, Thomas, Sarah and Laura Schlipper; Kathryn and Lindsay Starkey; Lincoln Harrington; and Trevor and Carson Waters. She is also survived by her niece, Valerie Morris Foley and husband, Robert, of Houston, Texas; and a nephew, Ken Morris, of Newport Beach, Calif. She will be greatly missed by all who love her and by her beloved dog, Abby. Mary was employed for many years with Norfolk & Western Railway. She was also a long time member of Second Presbyterian Church and had a close relationship with Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Va., with Dr. George C. Anderson officiating. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 9, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Lung Association or League for Animal Protection in her name. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.