Mary A. Smith
Without a doubt, they were the “Salt of the Earth.” Mary and Charlie Smith were the type of people you wanted as your next door neighbors, because if you ever needed anything, they would be the first to help out.
Mary and Charlie led a quiet life. They were hardworking, honest and lived by the Golden Rule. They married in 1930, a year after Mary graduated from Salem High School. They farmed in Franklin Township and were very active in the Franklin Township Farm Bureau. Occasionally these meetings would feature skits that Mary would help to write and create the costumes.
Charlie was a practical man. He believed in taking good care of his equipment, wisely telling others, “Whether you have a garage or not, you pay for one.”
Mary was the true definition of a Farm Wife. She would help out with the farm work in the morning and then prepare a big lunch for all the workers. According to Lindsey Wade-Swift, “She made the best homemade noodles EVER!” Mary also took primary responsibility for their yard which was quite large and known by all to be a showplace.
Mary also contributed to the life of her community. She was a member of Canton United Methodist Church and served in many ways for years. She was active in the Church’s Women’s Group, in Little York Eastern Star, and a Charter member of Friendly Club, which was a Homemakers Club.
Mary was also passionate about Franklin Cemetery, where she is laid to rest. She served as their Treasured for 40 years, always attending the Annual Meeting in a new outfit with a matching hat.
Mary and Charlie had no children of their own. However, they did take in two boys, who stayed with them for many years. The boys helped out of the farm and Mary and Charlie provided them with a good home and later on, cars to drive when they got older.
Charlie passed away in 1981 and Mary followed him ten years later. They were married 50 years. When planning her estate, Mary established a fund for Canton United Methodist Church. She was very forward thinking when she set it up; creating a contingency plan should the church ever close. This fund now resides in the Washington County Community Foundation, where it and Charlie and Mary’s legacy will be lovingly preserved.
