Mary Smith

~ Lovingly written by the family ~
Mary Maude (Finch) Smith, born on February 17, 1927 in Princeton, Kansas passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025 at her residence in Webb City, Missouri.
She was the beloved daughter of Ernest Hamilton Finch and Mary Gladys (O'Neal) Finch. She lived in Ottawa, Kansas where she graduated Ottawa High School and attended Ottawa University. She met the love of her life, Clyde Raymond Smith Jr. and was married on August 17, 1947 at the home of the bride's parents. They were blessed with three children, Patricia Lynn (Smith) Moody, Douglas William Smith and Donald Ray Smith. They moved to Webb City, Missouri in 1971 and enjoyed many, many family memories in the house they built in 1972.
Mary worked for the Welfare Office, as well as the Home Extension office in Ottawa before moving to Webb City, Missouri. She worked at Newman's in the furniture department then moved to the accounting department until the store closed. She was a substitute teacher for Mark Twain Elementary School in Webb City.
Mary was a member of the First Christian Church in Ottawa, Kansas and Webb City, Missouri. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the War of 1812, Women's Club in Joplin, and Friday Bridge Club in Webb City, She was a faithful member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Some of the offices she held were Grand Page to the Grand Trustee in 1957, District Aide in Kansas in 1960 in Kansas. She was also Worthy Matron of Webb City Chapter in 2011, Grand Representative of Kansas in Missouri in 2008, District Deputy Grand Matron of Missouri in 2013, and she held several offices in the chapter. She received the International Order of the Rainbow Girls Grand Cross of Color. She recently and proudly received her 72 year service pin for Order of Eastern Star.
She is survived and missed by sister in law, Catherine Imogene (Smith) Droddy, daughter Patricia Lynn (Smith) Moody, son in law George Lloyd Moody, son Douglas William Smith, son Donald Ray Smith, daughter in law Stacy Jean (Murry) Smith. Forever cherished and remembered by her grandchildren Michele, Herman, Cheri, Jeremy, Shannon, Shannon, Charlie, Caitlin, Chris, Ryan, Kayleigh. Her memory will live on with her great grandchildren Henry, Herman, Michael, Tiffanie, George, Lindsey, Wyatt, Tyler, Tanner, Turner, Olivia, Emma, Nolan, and Kelley James. Her great- great grandchildren Scarlett, Paisley, Clyde, and Rocky will miss her tremendously.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Smith Jr., sister Rebecca Maxine (Finch) Moore and brother in law James Paul Moore, brother William Calvin Finch and sister in law Della Maxine Finch, brother in law Caroll Gene Droddy, sister in law Peggy Sue (Smith) Johnson and brother in law David Johnson. daughter in law Debbie Kay Smith.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Webb City, Missouri, the First Christian Church in Ottawa, Kansas and Hospice of Freeman West Hospital in care of Simpson's Funeral home.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, August 7 at Simpson's Funeral Home, Webb City Missouri from 6:00 to 8:00. Services will be held at 10:00 on Friday, August 8 at Simpson Funeral home. Internment will be at 3:00 at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas.