1918
Mary
2016
Mary E. Smith
November 26, 1918 — January 25, 2016
Mrs. Mary Elma Smith, 97, of Herculaneum, MO., formerly of Corning, AR., and Doniphan, MO., passed away Monday, January 25, 2016 at Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Herculaneum, MO., surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Smith was born November 26, 1918, the daughter of Thomas Lee Burns and Delcie (Grubbs) of Kennett, MO. She married William Jackson Southern of Kennett, MO., on March 21, 1935. They had 3 children, two daughters, Louise Luebbers of Saint Louis, MO., and Dr. Jeanne Holmes-Buttner of Vienna, FL., and one stillborn son, unnamed. Her husband preceded her in death. In 1951 she married Leon Smith and they traveled to California to find work during the depression, he also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Smith was a retired welder for U.S. Navy Shipyards during the war. She was awarded a certificate of appreciation for her services by the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in San Diego, CA. She became a beloved local icon when Fox 2 News’ Shirley Washington in Saint Louis, MO., interviewed her as a part of the local Veterans Day Celebrations in 2013. She was described as being the oldest living "Rosie the Riveter." Her story is now on YouTube along with others similar stories. Her daughter, Dr. Jeanne Holmes-Buttner, genealogy research documented her mother’s Cherokee Indian Heritage. Several ceremonies honored her as one of the oldest of the tribe. Dr. Tim Jones, University of Arizona, professor of research in American Culture, History and Native American History, presented her with a token at Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Mrs. Smith loved visiting with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, old-time gospel music, bible readings and attending church. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, her dogs, gardening and canning. She was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Doniphan, MO., and was a former member of Calvary Baptist Church in Corning, AR.
Survivors are daughters Louise Luebbers and Billy Jeanne Holmes-Buttner; seven grandchildren Sherryelle and husband Billy Ford, Jerry Kirby and wife Joyce, Kelly Ostrander, Anita Withrow, Melinda Owen, Stephen Owen and Kristina Holmes; eight great-grandchildren Tom, Jeanie and Kristal Ford, Dewayne Kirby, Krista Ward, Ashley Russo, Cassie Curry, and Stephanie Ostrander; eight great-great-grandchildren Page Gander, Rachael Kirby, Jesse and Jacob Ward, Sylar Russo, Peyton and Keegan Curry, and Ellaina McNabb; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents Thomas Lee and Delcie (Grubbs) Burns; two brothers Arthur Burns and Thomas Bradshaw; three sisters Artie Dix, Helen Jackson, and Lucille Bradshaw.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 12:00 PM in the Ermert Funeral Home Chapel with Dewayne Kirby, Jerry Kirby and Keith Wooldridge officiating. Burial will follow the services at Cedar Hill Cemetery near Doniphan, MO. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 11:00 AM until the time of services.
Submitted by the family.
www.ermertfuneralhome.com
Mrs. Smith was born November 26, 1918, the daughter of Thomas Lee Burns and Delcie (Grubbs) of Kennett, MO. She married William Jackson Southern of Kennett, MO., on March 21, 1935. They had 3 children, two daughters, Louise Luebbers of Saint Louis, MO., and Dr. Jeanne Holmes-Buttner of Vienna, FL., and one stillborn son, unnamed. Her husband preceded her in death. In 1951 she married Leon Smith and they traveled to California to find work during the depression, he also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Smith was a retired welder for U.S. Navy Shipyards during the war. She was awarded a certificate of appreciation for her services by the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in San Diego, CA. She became a beloved local icon when Fox 2 News’ Shirley Washington in Saint Louis, MO., interviewed her as a part of the local Veterans Day Celebrations in 2013. She was described as being the oldest living "Rosie the Riveter." Her story is now on YouTube along with others similar stories. Her daughter, Dr. Jeanne Holmes-Buttner, genealogy research documented her mother’s Cherokee Indian Heritage. Several ceremonies honored her as one of the oldest of the tribe. Dr. Tim Jones, University of Arizona, professor of research in American Culture, History and Native American History, presented her with a token at Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Mrs. Smith loved visiting with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, old-time gospel music, bible readings and attending church. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, her dogs, gardening and canning. She was a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Doniphan, MO., and was a former member of Calvary Baptist Church in Corning, AR.
Survivors are daughters Louise Luebbers and Billy Jeanne Holmes-Buttner; seven grandchildren Sherryelle and husband Billy Ford, Jerry Kirby and wife Joyce, Kelly Ostrander, Anita Withrow, Melinda Owen, Stephen Owen and Kristina Holmes; eight great-grandchildren Tom, Jeanie and Kristal Ford, Dewayne Kirby, Krista Ward, Ashley Russo, Cassie Curry, and Stephanie Ostrander; eight great-great-grandchildren Page Gander, Rachael Kirby, Jesse and Jacob Ward, Sylar Russo, Peyton and Keegan Curry, and Ellaina McNabb; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents Thomas Lee and Delcie (Grubbs) Burns; two brothers Arthur Burns and Thomas Bradshaw; three sisters Artie Dix, Helen Jackson, and Lucille Bradshaw.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 12:00 PM in the Ermert Funeral Home Chapel with Dewayne Kirby, Jerry Kirby and Keith Wooldridge officiating. Burial will follow the services at Cedar Hill Cemetery near Doniphan, MO. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 11:00 AM until the time of services.
Submitted by the family.
www.ermertfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary E. Smith, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors