Mary Lou Smith

Mary Lou (Yanda) Smith

We who knew Mary Lou quickly felt her compassion to exceed no matter the odds. Mary Lou loved to read, made friends, and enjoyed her classmates while attending and graduating from St. Stephens High School in 1967.  At Cleveland State University, Mary Lou became the first within her family to attend college. She realized by then that her dreams were within reach.  She became involved in and enjoyed becoming involved in campus activities, student government, sororities, and other activities that brought within her drive to become a lawyer upon graduating from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

Mary Lou worked hard while attending and graduating from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law upon which admitted to the practice of law by the Ohio Supreme Court in 1976.  While fewer women lawyers at that time practiced law, Mary Lou’s determination enabled her to practice law in Ohio, then in Washington D.C. for a firm that expanded nationally.  Mary Lou went inactive from the practice of law in the late 1980’s.

Within that time, Mary Lou’s expectations changed after marrying attorney Craig Smith in 1977.  Over the next 40 years, Mary Lou deeply loved her three daughters; Whitney, twin daughters Taylor and Townley, and her son Parker. This March, Mary Lou welcomed son-in-law Jeremy Davis with the marriage to Taylor. Mary Lou’s never-ending love and compassion to her family brought endless joy and satisfaction to her.  Mary Lou also enjoyed her friends especially when talking to them on the phone, or better yet at dinner. Never the less, Mary Lou realized nothing goes on forever.

Mary Lou demonstrated the needed patience for her family to succeed through endless love.  She loved her friends, family, and most of all felt the success she earned through endless patience as we all matured over these 40 years. Mary Lou provided the firmness and necessary direction that all successful families needed.  We are thankful that MOM stood by us throughout our journey in life.

In the end, Mary Lou held firm to her convictions that the family matters the most.  Mary Lou came into this world the same as she left.  October 26, 2018 may have ended her life on this earth, but through Jesus Christ she will live forever in her hearts. God Bless.

A Celebration of Mary Lou’s joyful life will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 between 12 and 2 at Larchmere Tavern, 13051 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, Ohio 44120 with brief remarks by Reverend Andy Call of Church of the Saviour of Cleveland Heights, Ohio at 1:00.