Mary Brazell Smith

Mary Brazell Smith, born on October 15, 1933, in Miller County, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026 into the arms of her Savior at the age of 92.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, Homer Gene Smith, her parents, Chappell and Gertrude Brazell, and her sister, Barbara Denning. She is survived by her devoted and caring daughters Pollianne Smith and Jill Smith Rodríguez (Raul) and her oldest daughter Debbie Smith Collier (Gary); her grandchildren Benjamin Rodríguez, Tyler Ferguson, Marisa Rodríguez, as well as her two oldest granddaughters Meaghan Collier (Cody Crouch) and Mandi Collier. She is also survived by her four-legged daughter, Mandy.

Mary graduated from Arkansas High School in May 1952. On September 21,1952 she married the love of her life, Homer Smith.

Mary had several different jobs throughout the years. She enjoyed her time as a stay-at-home mother with her three daughters, but her favorite job of all time was working with Homer and Pollianne in the family CPA practice in her role of “social coordinator.”

Among Mary’s favorite hobbies was sewing, and she was quite an accomplished seamstress. Her daughters reaped the benefits of her talent with dance costumes, music recital and prom dresses, ski suits, bridesmaid dresses, Halloween costumes and many more. Mary also thoroughly enjoyed her time in the kitchen cooking, her three most sought after recipes being cornbread dressing, chicken ‘n spaghetti and cheese grits. Due to her East Texas roots, her southern cooking was loved by many, including but not limited to, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, homemade cream style corn, black eyed peas, skillet cornbread and fried green tomatoes. On the sweet side, her banana pudding, three-day coconut cake, hummingbird cake and chocolate cream pie with homemade crust and meringue on top were the favorite of so many.

Through the years Homer & Mary have always been active in church wherever they lived, serving as teachers and department directors, their last church being First Baptist Lancaster.

Homer and Mary enjoyed traveling throughout the USA, Mexico and Canada with their travel buddies. On their 50th anniversary they discovered cruising, and it became their passion. They went on multiple (10+) cruises, three with two of their daughters, a son-in-law and three grandchildren. During one of their early cruises, they developed a friendship with a family with whom they took subsequent cruises, including Iceland.

Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a friend whose life was deeply rooted in her faith and family values. She was the quintessential hostess, loved to entertain and her happiest place was at her dining room table, sharing a meal and surrounded by family. Her legacy lives on through those who cherish their memories with her.

The family would like to thank their loving caregiver, Teresa DiGiacomo, for her loyal care of Homer and Mary over many years. Also, heartfelt thanks go to Mary’s medical team including Dr. Brett Johnson and Dr. Roberto Wahys. Mary’s final days were spent in the extraordinary care of the staff at Midowne Meadows Health and Rehabilitation, for which we will enterally grateful. In addition, special thanks go to the team at Carestar Hopsice who took such loving care of both Mary and her family in the end. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Methodist Hospital Guild www.methodistguild.com or charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends on Monday - August 10, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 305 E. Third St., Lancaster, TX 75146 from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. with Funeral Services beginning at 10:30 A.M.

Interment will follow in the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX.