Deaconess Mary Felton

Mary Smith Felton beloved servant of God gently slept away as she was summoned by the almighty God on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family as she entered the eternal realms of Glory.

Mary was born to parents Frank Smith and Marie Jones on July 30, 1933, in Fitzgerald, Georgia.

Mary was the only girl and youngest of four children. Her beloved mother passed away before she was two years old. She was raised by her father's sister, Mary Mills, a preacher's wife. She accepted Christ at an early age and attended church regularly, where she also served as a Sunday School Teacher.

Her father later moved to Alma, Georgia where he met and married her stepmother, Clara Armstrong Smith.

Mary received her formal education in Alma, Georgia where she attended Alma High School. She graduated at the age of 16 as Valedictorian of her class. She was always passionate about education and loved to read.

After high school, Mary joined the United States Army in the Women Army Corps Division during the Korean War. She was trained as a clerk typist and was considered one of the best typists to sit at a typewriter. She moved to corporal in six months and received her honorable discharge in 1954.

Mary later moved to Jacksonville, Florida to attend school under her GI Bill. She worked in a real estate office as a typist and later worked in the Poverty Program for the State of Florida. She later was transferred to be a Case Worker for the State of Florida and retired after 27 ½ years of service.

Mary was united in Holy Matrimony to Thomas Felton for forty-three years and together they raised 14 children. She was a devoted mother to her children as well as her grandchildren and any other children who came in her presence or home. She loved cooking for her children and family during the holidays.

Mary was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for thirty-seven and a half years under the leadership of the late E.E. Taylor and continued under the leadership of Bishop John E. Gunn. She was a faithful servant and served as St. Paul's church clerk for twelve years, a member of the Pastoral Care Team, Kitchen Committee, President of Choir #2 and the Bereavement Committee.

Mary later moved to the westside of Jacksonville and joined Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. William Lavant and continued under the leadership of Pastor Jack and Annette Harmon. She served as the President of the Deaconess Board. She firmly believed you put nothing before God.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of forty-three years, Thomas Felton; daughters, Mary Elizabeth Thomas and Angie Annette Andrews; stepson, Charles Haymon; grandson who she loved and missed, Kollin Sterling Felton, Sr.; father, Frank Smith; Mother, Marie J. Smith ; step mother, Clara A. Smith; aunt who raised her like her own child, Mary Mills; brothers, Nathaniel Smith, Willie Frank Smith, Moses Smith, Booker T. Armstrong and Nathaniel Armstrong; sisters-in–law, Hazel Smith, Lola Smith, Pearl Bizell, Cindy Felton and Agnes Felton; son-in-law who she loved as her own son, Michael J. Thomas; niece Natalie Smith; and nephews, Herman Felton, Sr., Lephus Felton, Sr., Keith Felton and Captain Stanley Smith.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories, children, Rose Andrews, Donald Henderson (Linda), Paula Malone (Raymond), Thomas Felton, Lillain Felton, Tracey Sampson (Bernard), Lisa Williams, David Felton (Terrell), Katina Felton and Jermaine Smith; grandchildren, Stanley (Trina), Jerome (Judy), Jeronda, Julia, Jennifer, Shannon, Kenneth Jr., Bridgette, Frank Jr., Eric, Tevin, Joshua Sr., Marvin Jr. (Sarah), Brandon, Devon, Ivory, Joy (Antonio), Tameka(Samuel), Destinee, Karlissa, Andrew III, Brittany, David Jr., Keyonie, Erika (Jason), Ashley, Taunjanese, Tracee, Marlisa and Davesha; nieces and nephews, Connie Smith, Michael Smith, Aundrea Smith, Otis Neal Felton, Kimberly Felton-Jackson and Gregory Felton; special long life friend and confidant who she loved, trusted and cherished, Juanita Wilson, friend who was also her buddy and traveling partner, Linda Mitchell; Cousin who she thought the world of and who she enjoyed traveling with, Dr. Grovenia Parker; she is also survived by over fifty great grandchildren; friends and family at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church; bonus children, Valerie Mitchell, Eric Watson(Tasha) , Dale Walker, Aviaus Moore, Eric Andrews and the Tukes family; Bethel bonus children, Antoinette Edy (Antonio), Terry Edy Melrose), Anthony Brunner (Bertha), Mike Evans (Ann), Mamie Fisher (Jerry), Deacon Sabb (Essie), Ruby Gelesia, Carolyn Richardson and Mattie Smith.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.