Mary Smith, 78, of Libby

Mary Keturah McMackin Smith, 78, died on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, at Libby Care Center.  

She was born Dec. 19, 1934, in St. Louis, Mo., to Monroe Maurice and Frances Lorraine (Kinney) McMackin. She spent her childhood in Atlanta, Ga., and graduated from high school in Chicago. She attended Monmouth College in Illinois and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She attended Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary pursuing a degree in Christian Education — no small feat since she had been legally blind since birth.

On June 7, 1958, she married Wallace Lawrence Smith, her college sweetheart, and they had a son, David, in April 1959.  Together, she and Wally, an ordained Presbyterian minister, served rural churches in Merrill, Muscoda and Highland, Wis. In 1968, they adopted a daughter, Sarah.  

Their travels in the ministry took them to Bancroft, Neb.; DelNorte, Colo.; Hot Springs and Libby; Calvin, N.D.; Reserve, N.M.; and Troy, Ala., where they served rural churches of various denominations. They served at the Libby Presbyterian Church for a few years in the ’90s.

Mary was a preacher’s wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Women’s Club, collected eagles, bells and antiques. She enjoyed her church families. She delighted in singing in church and community choirs and had a beautiful soprano voice. She was once scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1959.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Wally Smith of Libby; son, David Smith of Aurora, Colo.; daughter, Sarah Dinning; and grandchildren Riley and Crawford (Tawnya) Dinning, all of Libby.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. 

Service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at the funeral home.