Mary Elizabeth Smith

Mary Elizabeth Smith, 86, of Raleigh, NC departed this earthly life on Thursday September 21, 2023.  Memorial service at 11:00 AM Friday September 29, 2023 at the C.A. Haywood, Sr. Memorial Chapel preceded by a 10:00 AM visitation.  Inumment will follow the service at Carolina Biblical Gardens.

Mary Elizabeth Smith resident of Newark, NJ and Raleigh, NC passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on September 21, 2023, after a brief illness. 

Born September 17, 1937, in Newark, NJ, Mary grew up and lived most of her adult life in the cities of Newark and Orange, NJ. She graduated from Barringer High School and earned Nursing degrees from Helene Fuld School of Registered Nursing and Rutgers Cook College.  Mary met and married the love of her life Chester R. Smith, and from this union came a daughter Crystal Smith Washington and son Chester R. Smith. Mary and Chester retired to Raleigh, NC in 2000.

Mary spent most of her career employed at University Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital of Newark.  She spent the last four years before retirement as a school nurse at George Washington Carver Elementary School.  Mary always believed she received as much as she gave in her nursing career.

An active member of St. Paul’s AME church in Raleigh, she continued her stewardess-ship that began at Union Chapel AME church in Newark.  Mrs. Smith was also an enthusiastic member of the Red Hat Society of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mary Elizabeth Smith is survived by her daughter Crystal Smith Washington and son Chester R. Smith, sister Barbara Jenkins, son-in-law Dennis Washington and grandchildren, Eric Washington, Aja Washington Jones and Ashley Washington.  LeGail Smith mother to Chester Ray Smith II, Justin Smith, and Brittany Smith; great grandchildren, Devon, Carter and Emory Jones, Alivia, Zayden, and Dylan Smith, Meledie, Miyah, My’kala Smith and Matthias Emmanel Barber and a host of nephews and nieces.  

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