Mary Gray Smith

Smith, Mary Gray 86, of St. Petersburg, passed away May 26 in her home, with her family by her side. Born in St. Petersburg in 1924, she was a third-generation Florida resident. Her grandparents and parents were early Florida and St. Petersburg pioneers, coming here to help develop and grow the Episcopal church in Florida. She was a 1942 graduate of St. Petersburg High School and graduated from Ward-Belmont College and the College of William and Mary, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She made her debut in St. Petersburg in 1945, and was an active member of the St. Petersburg Junior League and the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1948, she married St. Petersburg native architect John Bruce Smith, Jr. and they began raising a family of three children. In 1967, Mr. Smith joined the US Department of State and the Smith family spent 20 years living overseas in various countries in Africa, South America, Europe and the Middle East. She enjoyed her role as a diplomatic spouse, experiencing new cultures and learning new languages. In 2001, she returned to St. Petersburg and enjoyed reuniting with her many friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents Charles M. Gray and Mary Stoney Gray and brother Charles M. Gray. She is survived by children: Merrill Brown, Helen Ryan and Bruce (Sally-Ann) Smith. Grandchildren: Kelly Peck, Kevin Ryan, Krissy Leary and Jonathan Smith. Great-grandchildren: Abigail, Braedy and Ryan. The family would like to thank all of Mrs. Smith's caregivers, especially Cynthia and Alalia. The family invites all friends to join them at a funeral service on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 2pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at the church. A private family burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33704-3099.