Mary Frances Smith

Mary Frances Smith, also known as Nick, Miss Nick, Mary Frances, Aunt Nick, Miss Smith, Ma, Grandma, Nana and GiGi, walked into eternity on May 6, 2024 in Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md, after a brief illness.

She was born in Lyman, SC on January 16, 1934, the youngest of six children of Pink and Modestine Pearson Cleveland. She attended Florence Chapel High School and was a member of New Trinity Baptist Church.

Mary may have been the youngest of her sisters and brothers, but she was also the most reliable and the most nurturing. She played a leading role in raising many of her nieces and nephews. She loved children and they loved her too.

Shortly after leaving South Carolina and moving to Washington, DC, she was married to Layman Smith Sr., on August 9, 1969.

In the early 80’s Mary and her family moved from the nation’s capital to Seat Pleasant, MD. There she Joined Beulah Baptist Church. She loved her church and her pastor, Rev. Marcus Turner.

Mary was a great cook and feeding people is how she showed her love. For years, while raising her family She made a big Sunday dinner and every Sunday afternoon she would make plates for the elderly couple who lived across the street. That meal was the highlight of their week. They looked forward to it.

After her husband’s death in September, 1994, Mary’s role as the center, the rock, the mentor, the coach and the leader of her family grew even stronger. Her life’s focus has always been her faith and her love for children ---not just her own, but any child in need. One of her greatest joys was trying to keep up with her busy four year-old great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Marion Gist, Rachel O’Neal, Martha Dickey, Agnes Gist and Pink (Joe) Cleveland and her husband, Layman Smith.

Left to cherish loving memories are: sons, Jerry Cleveland of Seat Pleasant, MD, Jimmy (Toni) Cleveland of Takoma Park, MD and Layman (Patty) Smith Jr of Silver Springs, MD; 4 grandchildren, Crystal Cleveland, Raymond Richardson, Ricardo Smith and Alexis Smith; 6 great grandchildren, Isaiah, Elijah, Zachariah, Josiah, Noah and Israel (“Izzy”); Niece, Kymberly Cleveland (Rodney) Smith of Forestville, Md who was like a daughter to her.

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