Mary Jane Smith

Mary Jane Stone Smith, 69, of Newberry, died Friday, July 8, 2016, at her residence.

Born on September 15, 1946, in Newberry, she was the daughter of Tensie Perry Stone and the late James Edward Stone. She was a member of Summer Memorial Lutheran Church. She was the retired Executive Director for the Newberry Housing Authority where she was involved with the Carolinas Council of Housing Redevelopment and Codes Officials (CCHRC)) where she served on the board as First Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, President Elect and President for 1988-1989. Upon her retirement she was awarded the Lifetime Membership in CCHRCO. She was instrumental in developing the Non-Profit 504c3 Affordable Housing Community Services.

While director of the housing authority she served on the following committees: Annual Conference, Commissioners, Nominating, Exhibitors, Site Selection, Resolutions, Constitution and By-Laws, Hospitality and the Programs/Professional Development of which she served as chair. Mrs. Smith co-chaired the Mississippi Association of Housing in Memphis, TN. She was a member of the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials and attended numerous workshops on the national level.

Mrs. Smith received the National Award of Merit in 1995 for Preventing Abuse with Life Skills Program, the 2001 National Award of Merit for Read Ready Program, the 2003 National Award of Merit for Harvest Hope Food Bank Commodities Distribution, and the 2003 National Award of Merit for Certified Nursing Assistant Class.

Following her retirement from the housing authority she worked for Bryan Dipner, CPA.

Mrs. Smith served on the Newberry County Council on Aging Board and was a former member of the Newberry Rotary Club where she served as President for 2000-2001 and received the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2001. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile – Al Ansar #117 and the Newberry Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 226. She was the Hejaz Past Potentate First lady, the Hejaz Shrine Circus volunteer, and Hejaz Hospitality volunteer.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Jimmy R. Smith; her mother, Tensie Stone of Newberry; a son, Jamie Smith of Newberry; daughters, Lisa (Allen) Sligh and Bridgett (Josh) Parsons both of Newberry; a brother, Thomas Eddy (Genie) Stone, Sr. of Greenwood; grandchildren, Alli (Jackson) Graham, Maggie Parsons and Eli Parsons and a special friend, Catie Rooney

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, July 11, 2016, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Ascension Ministries, PO Box 354, Prosperity, SC 29127, to Summer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1609 Milligan Street, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Active pallbearers will be Eddy Stone, Jr., J.D. Stone, Paul Winkler, Terry Bozeman, Benji Westwood, Robert Dennis, and Terry LeCroy.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Hejaz Shrine Circus Committee, Carroll Barker, Dude Hannan and George Thompson.

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