Cover photo for Mary Rachel Smith's Obituary
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1928 Mary 2023

Mary Rachel Smith

December 16, 1928 — December 24, 2023

St. Charles, Missouri

Mary Rachel Smith (nee Jordan), born December 16th, 1928, to William and Neva Jordan in Indianapolis, IN, passed away peacefully this December 24 at the Lifecare Center in Bridgeton, MO. Mary lived in the Watermark Independent Senior community up until Sunday December 17". She was active in her church, Unity of Light in St Charles, MO, where she played piano at services and was active with Wednesday prayer services. Music was a prime focus of her life; starting with piano at a young age, playing violin in the high school orchestra and singing in the choir. Her musical accomplishments won her a scholarship to Indiana Central College where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in music. 

As a sophomore at Indiana Central, now the University of Indianapolis (Ulndy), Mary met the young man who would become her husband of 63 years, Wayne H. Smith. Both musically inclined, they traveled with the College Choir through the end of college. After college, they married and began life together, spending the next 40 years, first in Greeley, Colorado and then in Harper Woods, Michigan.

Through the years they built their life around their work and family. They were both music educators and had a love of performing; Mary and Wayne put on shows at church and in the community often including their reluctant children in their performances. When they retired, Mary supported Wayne in his ministerial pursuit, ending up in Durango, Colorado where they pioneered the Unity of Durango church. Music continued to be a focus, as Mary and Wayne initiated and directed a yearly performance of Handel's Messiah each Christmas. After moving to St. Louis in 2010 to be close to family, Mary continued performing at church and at UIndy Alumni recitals, most recently in October 2023 at the age of 95.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Wayne and is survived by her daughter Vicki (Bob) Limbaugh and their two children Robert and Connie (7 great grandchildren); son Russell (Kathy) Smith and their three children Jennifer (James) Dilworth (great granddaughter Kate), Paul (Lacey) and Daniel (Ali); brother Thomas Jordan; nephew David Jordan; niece Debra (Don) Zawlocki; sister-in-law Margaret (Bob) Dunn and her three children, Debbie, Cindi and Terre.

Memorials may be made in Mary 's name to University of Indianapolis: Department of Music.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Rachel Smith, please visit our flower store.

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