Obituary of Mary Smith

Mary Leona (Cotton) Smith 95, beloved by her family and many friends, went to be with her Savior on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 7:22 p.m. while in her home. Mary was born January 2, 1922 in Peoria to Leonard and Theresa Cotton. She graduated from Manual High School in 1940. She married Wilbur L. (Bill) Smith in Peoria on June 15, 1947. He died March 8, 1990. She was also preceded in death by: two sons, Bradley D. February 12, 1997 and Gregg L. April 9, 2015; a sister Lucille (Walter) Dittmer; and a brother William (Amy) Cotton. She is survived by: two daughters, Cheryl (David) Capetz of Forest Lake, MN; Rebecca (Dale) Philyaw of Barriguda, Guam; a son Steven of Chillicothe; a brother Clyde (Nancy) of Florida; and two sisters, Sheila Barnette of Tremont, Treva (Jake) Jacobs of East Peoria. She has 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mary trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior as a teen and was baptized in 1956 at Bethany Baptist Church of Peoria. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Chillicothe where she was a Ladies Bible Study student and faithfully served as a choir member and hospitality team member. She was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother-a homemaker -loving to sew and cook. In the 1950’s she worked as a sewer at the Bemis Bag Co. in Peoria and in the 1970’s as a kitchen helper at Chillicothe Grade and High School. Services will be Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Calvary Baptist Church of Chillicothe with Pastor Curtis Cochran officiating. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, with 11 a.m. funeral service and a graveside service following at Chillicothe Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Academy. In addition to appreciation for Mary’s family caregivers, thanks are given to caregivers Alisha, Taylor, Ashley, and Anita with special thanks to caregiver Laura Perona. Mary's memorial website may be viewed at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com