Josie Marie Smith

Monday, August 4, 2003

Marie Smith, daughter of the late Joseph Louray Grayum and Ethel Jennette Jordon Grayum, was born on Sept. 17, 1912, at Bernie and departed this life on Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at the age of 90. Mrs. Smith had been an interior decorator during her life and was especially accomplished at painting and wallpapering. She was also a poet and had been published in the The Daily Statesman newspaper of Dexter. She had always been very active in her local church with her husband serving as deacon for over 30 years, and had been involved in the local Church Missionary Society. She had been playing the piano since the age of nine in the churches and had enjoyed playing gospel music all through her life. She was united in marriage to Charles Franklin Smith on March 25, 1933, at Piggott, Ark. Mr. Smith preceded his wife in death on Dec. 29, 1988. She is survived by three sons: Gaylon Grayum Smith of Cape Girardeau, Charles E. Smith of Bernie, and David Lee Smith of Belleville, Ill.; three daughters, Nancy Jane Dockins of O'Fallon, Shirley Ann Grimes of Humboldt, Tenn., and Kay Jenkins of Dexter; one sister, Norma McCoy of Dexter; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Other than by her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, William Grayum; six sisters, Dora Latham, Forrest Whitehead, Thelma Wilcox and three sisters at infancy. Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Don Wells officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau. PAID

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