Mary Jo Chandler Smith

A celebration of life will be held for Mrs. Mary Jo Chandler Smith at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2042 Highway 519, Arcadia, LA 71001. Bro. Jeff Smart will officiate.

Mary was born November 27, 1933, in Ruston, LA to Christopher Columbus Chandler and Elizabeth Vaughan Chandler. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 25, 2023, in Ruston, LA.

Mary was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved her church family and fellowshipping with them and working VBS serving snacks. Mary worked as a nurse for Lincoln General, was Claiborne Parish School nurse, and retired from Homer Hospital. She married the love her life John Samuel Smith in 1951. Mary loved flower gardening and sewing, she was a wonderful cook, but her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Chris and Lizzie Chandler, husband of 72 years, John Samuel Smith, son Michael Luther Smith, brothers James Chandler, Harold Chandler, Kenneth Chandler, and Bobby Chandler, and by sisters Billie Matthews and Wanda Elmore.

Those left to cherish her memories are her, daughter Cindy Clark and husband Woody, grandchildren Carrie, Leah, Jonathan, and Mary Helen, great grandchildren Seline, Tristan, Spencer, Rolf, Charles, Wesley, and David, and by numerous other nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.

The family would like to say a special Thank You to the staff at The Arbor and Terrace, and to Premier Hospice for their exceptional care of Mrs. Mary.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to The Gideons International.