Mary Martha (Ancell) Smith, 91, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday (February 13, 2013) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

Born September 5, 1921 in Moberly, Missouri, Mary was the daughter of Chester Earvin and Netti Rebecca (White) Ancell. On January 15, 1944 in College Station College, Texas, Mary was united in marriage to Staff Sergeant David M. Smith.

Mary was a graduate from Moberly High School and graduated form Moberly Jr. College in 1941. She played in orchestras for many years in school and Church since she was ten years old. For twenty years, Mary managed an Ice Cream Parlor for her father. She was a hospital volunteer for eighteen years before going to work for her son at his pet store in Kirksville for ten years.

Mary was a devoted member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kirksville, for almost sixty years where she was a Sunday school teacher for fifteen years and belonged to the Women’s Fellowship for many years. She sang in school and church choirs from the time she was five years old.

Mary is survived by her husband, David of sixty-nine years; three sons, Steve Smith of Kirksville, MO, Mark Smith and wife, Connie of Hendersonville, TN and Michael Todd Smith and wife, Patsy of Galesburg, IL; one sister, Betty Chew of Booneville, MO; one sister-in-law, Wilma Ancell of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren, Richard Allen Smith of Slater, IA, Justin Troy Smith and wife Mardi of Kirksville, MO, Brian Scott Smith of Liberty, MO, Colby Michael Smith of Galesburg, IL, Marcy Dawn Markes and husband, Ronnie of Columbia, MO, and Tara Danielle Smith and Tonya Nicole Smith both of Hendersonville, TN; seven great-grandchildren, Alexa Jade Smith of Liberty, MO, Makenzie Kathryn Smith of Liberty, MO, Samantha Lynn Smith of Granger, IA, Lynsey and Justin Foster of Columbia, MO, Mia Lea Smith and Rian McCoy Markes both of Columbia, MO, as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, David McCoy Smith, one brother, Chester Ancell; and two sisters, Genevieve Haley and Virginia Seyb.

Public visitation will be held Saturday (February 16, 2013) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday (February 17, 2013) at the First Christian Church in Kirksville, with Pastor Jim Pitney and Janice Legg officiating. Interment will follow the service at Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Richard Smith, Brian Smith, Troy Smith, Colby Smith, Ron Markes and Rian Markes.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mary Smith may be made to the First Christian Church or to the Adair County Humane Society. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.