Obituary of Mary Snow Smith

Mary Snow Smith, nee Vance, 80, entered into the Kingdom Of Heaven on the morning of January 13, 2025.  Born in West Liberty, KY, on November 10, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Henry Harrison Vance & Bertha Evaline [Davis] Vance.

Mary was an opinionated firecracker with a dazzling smile. She was as known for her doggedness and determination as she was for her overflowing kindness.  Mary fiercely loved her family. She always looked forward to traveling to family reunions and with her loved ones to her favorite locales in Tennessee such as Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Memphis.  She never missed a Reds game, either in person at the Great American Ball Park or watching them play on tv at home. A great admirer of music, Mary’s ultimate favorite was Elvis Presley. Her infamous potato salad and peanut butter fudge could have been patented, it was so sought after.

Her life a living testimony to the Word, Mary’s fire came from within and directly from the Holy Ghost. She awoke each morning to read her Bible. After suffering a personal loss, she was often devoted to supporting, educating, and advocating for those afflicted with addiction and their families.  

Divine timing is not earthly timing, we know.  The sudden loss of Mary hurts. But we hold onto the fact that death is not the end of her story, but rather the beginning of her brand new life with Jesus.

We will continue to hold her in our hearts and we will always save her a seat at Cracker Barrel.

Mary was the beloved mom of Berthena Vance and Rhonda Smith; adored “ma” of Joseph “J.M.” Richards and Mary (Michael) Juilfs; dear great-grandma to Marc “Pistol” Juilfs, as well as treasured sister of Gelema (Ron) Bucklen, Thurston G. (Sue) Vance, June (Kenny) Ferguson, Pat (Darrell) Hager. She will be remembered with so much love by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends. Mary was greeted in Heaven with a big hug by her husband Michael Wayne Smith, grandson Brandon Greene, brother Johnny Ray Vance, sister Arlene G. Ferguson, and former son-in-law John Joseph Greene.

You are invited to calling hours for Mary. Friends and family will congregate at Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home, 8461 Dixie Hwy, Florence, KY, 41042 to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind on Friday, January 17, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.   A funeral gathering will be held to help celebrate Mary home the following day on Saturday, January 18, 2024 at 9:00 AM, also at the funeral home in Florence. Directly following, Mary will be lovingly and gently laid to rest at Highland Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, KY.  Although a child of the niveous winter, Mary loved the springtime. Those coming to pay respects are encouraged to wear bright colors, not just to honor her love of this season but to rejoice in her reunion with the Savior.

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