Mary Lee Welter was born in West Plains, Missouri to Lee and Clara Smith on October 7, 1953.  Mary often said that her greatest blessing in life are her two daughters and her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly!  Her first daughter, Kimberley Baker is married to Patrick Baker.  They have two children, Russell Baker and Emilee Baker.  Mary’s love for her daughter, Kim, was immeasurable! She loved her grandchildren, Russell Baker and Emilee Baker, and was especially proud of them.  She loved Russell’s curly hair the most and his sweet, kind, and giving heart!  She was so proud of his accomplishments, graduating college and playing football!  She wanted to be at every game!!  Emilee was so special to her!  She loved watching her perform in all her gymnastic meets and then becoming a cheerleader. She was so proud of her going to college. She was a sweet reminder of her daughter Kim, because she resembled her so much.

Mary’s second daughter, Erica Mitchell is married to James Mitchell.  They have 5 children, Brandon Hall, Carson Mitchell, Emma Mitchell, Ava Mitchell, and Ricki Mitchell.  Again, Mary’s love for her daughter, Erica, can not be spoken in words.  Mary lived with Erica, and Erica cared for her mother.  Mary spent many wonderful years with her grandchildren, while living with Erica.  With Brandon, she loved his sweet spirit and creativity.  She would often brag on how smart Carson is!  Emma was the sweet reminder of Erica, since she mimics her mother so closely and she loved her dearly!  Ava was the free spirit that kept Mary laughing! Ricki was a special blessing that was added to her family and gave her the first great grandchild, Steven.

Mary has one brother, Bruce Smith, who is married to Mavis Smith.  They have two children, Olen Henshaw and Matthew Henshaw, married to Debbie Henshaw.  Mary also had one sister, Katherine Penrod, married to Kevin Penrod.  She had many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.  She loved her nieces and nephews Heather Shimkus, Johnathon Carroll, Barbara Andrey, Kevin Penrod and Kathleen Penrod.

Mary was an amazing, beautiful, kind, loving and generous person.  She was a Certified Nurses Aid in her youth and then work many jobs during her life, always giving 100% to anything she did.  She was a gifted gardener and could bake like none other.  She was funny and fun loving and always knew how to have a good time and make others feel better.  She was a single mom and gave her children all her heart, they were her pride and joy!  She believed in the Lord and is now home with her father and mother in heaven and one day we will see her again!

The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Beard’s Chapel.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Brannon Mountain Community Church with Pastor Russell Shackelford officiating. Interment will follow in Patrick Cemetery, Patrick, Arkansas.