Mary Maple Smith Martin

Mary Maple Smith Martin, seventh child born to  George Lile Smith and Fercie Crumpler Smith February 20, 1926 in Autryville (Cumberland County), North Carolina  passed away peacefully on  June 9, 2021 at Haymount Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  She and her siblings grew  up  and worked on a large family owned farm  where they grew cotton, tobacco, corn and other crops.  She was preceded in death by her parents,  five brothers: George Wilbert Smith, R.L. Smith, Neil Smith, Odell Smith, and four sisters: Mae Alice Robinson, Ruth Smith, Lucille Smith and  Wilhelmenia Hamilton.

On December 2, 1956 she married Leo Dixon Martin and moved to Roseboro, North Carolina.  After sixty years of marriage, Leo passed away August 29, 2016.  She attended Lonely Hill Elementary School and Armstrong High School with the class of 1948. Mary enjoyed learning and said she walked to school every day, rain, shine, sleet or snow and never missed a day.

She did further study at Sampson Technical Community College.   

Mary lived in the Roseboro, North Carolina community for over 65 years. She served as a teacher assistant for 26 years  at Charles E. Perry School in Roseboro, North Carolina and Salemburg Elementary School in Salemburg, North Carolina before retiring  from Sampson County Schools in July 1992.

She enjoyed reading newspapers,  playing Bingo and solving word search puzzles. She found great joy in attending family reunions and going on family and church excursions.   

Mary joined Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church as a youth.  She served faithfully in many church auxiliaries, including Daughters of Zion, Missionary, Senior Choir and pianist.     She had the distinction of being the oldest  member  of the church and was so honored in 2018.

She was among nonagenarians and centenarians honored by the Gwyn Fisher Turman Scholarship Fund in July 2016. She and her husband Leo were  featured in the 2016 segment of Duke Center for Documentary Studies Anytown USA which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf1nVwK3swc.   She was honored by the Smith Family Reunion as being the oldest living family member.

Her memory will be cherished by, a special nephew, Troy Smith (Bernice) of Autryville, North Carolina, four sisters-in-law; Katie Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, Janet Martin Whiteside of Apopka, Florida, Joyce and Judy Martin of Detroit, Michigan; two brothers-in-law; Bill Whiteside of Apopka, Florida and Roosevelt Hamilton of Pensacola, Florida. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, family and friends.   

Graveside Service: Sunday, June 13, 2021  at Roseboro Cemetery, Roseboro, NC at 1:00 pm 

Public Walkthrough: Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Butler & Son Funeral Home, Roseboro

Masks are required to attend graveside service and viewing. Service will be live-streamed through Butler & Son Funeral Home Facebook Page. 

Butler & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 

Roseboro, NC 

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