Mary Gene Smith

Mary Gene Smith was born on Nov. 6, 1927 in McRae, Ark. She was born to parents Homer and Erie Cox Black; she was an only child. She grew up in McRae and the Lebanon community. The Black family had come to White County in 1856, and the Cox family in 1869. She married Wesley Smith, Sr. in Oct. of 1947. Wesley, Mary Gene, and their children were a proud military family, living in Oklahoma, Spain, and finally settled in Stuttgart and Searcy, Ark. Mary Gene Smith remained a White County girl in her heart. The couple were married 57 years until Wesley Smith Sr.'s death in July 2004. She is survived by two children, son Wesley Max "Macky" Smith, Jr. and daughter Marianne Smith Welch, both of Conway. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Molly Welch of Fort Smith, Ark. and Maggie Welch of Dallas, Texas. She loved mystery novels and knitting. She leaves behind dear friends, extended family, and her beloved cat, Breezy. A reception will be held for friends and family at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway, Ark. at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at McRae First United Methodist Church, with burial in Lebanon Cemetery. Arrangements by Westbrook, a Smith Family Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.