The Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Dean Smith of Americus, Georgia will be held Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 132 Bumphead Road, Americus, Georgia with Pastor Jermaine Harris officiating. Interment will follow at Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville, Georgia. We ask that you please wear a mask for your safety and for the safety of others.
Surrounded by the love of her family and dear friends, Mary Dean Smith, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 8, 2023. “Mae Dean” as she was affectionately called, was born on August 19,1941, in Schley County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Mr. Charlie James Ingram, Sr, and the late Mrs. Mary Jo Hayes Ingram. She received her education in the Sumter County Public School System. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was a lifelong member of Allen Chapel AME Church where she participated in various activities and ministries until her health declined.
On, July 24, 1960, she married the love of her life, Mr. Willie James Smith who remained her husband, the father of her children, her constant companion, and her best friend for their entire 59+ year marriage until his death on December 13, 2019. Theirs was a true “Til death do us part!” union.
She was strong-willed and had an enormous heart. She was generous, loyal, and cared so deeply for the people around her. Mae Dean will be remembered for all the love that she shared with her family and friends. She truly was the anchor of the family and the “glue” that held everyone together. She loved HARD, and if you were fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of that love, she made sure that YOU KNEW THAT YOU WERE LOVED!
She was gainfully employed at and retired from Kinder Manufacturing after 30 years of service so that she could enjoy her “golden” years. She is preceded in death by her two brothers, Mr. J.W. (Betty) Ingram, and Mr. Glover (Bernice) Ingram.
She leaves to mourn her passing six children: Ricky (Pamela) Ingram, James F. Smith, Deborah (Jerome) Clayton, Kirkland (Doris) Smith, Kenyatta Smith all of Americus Georgia, and Sandra (Clyde Jr) Lord of Atlanta, Georgia; four sisters: Gracie Smith, Virginia (James) Allen, Anna (James) Smith, all of Americus, and Mary Jane (Otis) McGruder of Miami, Florida; two brothers: Eddie Ingram and Charlie James (Cynthia) Ingram; fourteen grandchildren: Yameia (Jason) Jalisa, Deneen, Amanda (Jamar), Christopher, Khorderrius, Kirlandria, Clyde III, Gabrielle, Kendrica, Justus, Kennedy, Jyrese, and Talyor; six great- grandchildren: Jayla, Kayla, Cameron, Christian, Marcus Jr, and Ryleigh, a devoted aunt, Ms. Ella Payne; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in-law, and other family and friends.
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