Mary Elizabeth Smartt

Mrs. Mary Van Voorhis Smartt, 88, of Chestnut Mountain, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at home, surrounded by her loving and grateful family.

Born on a farm in Worcester, New York, Mary was the daughter of Lloyd Van Voorhis and Florence Kenyon Van Voorhis. As a child, she loved farm life and later delighted to tell her own children about once meeting a bear in a blackberry patch. As a teenager, Mary accepted Jesus as her Savior at a camp in Upstate New York, where she also met her future husband, the Rev. Kennedy Smartt of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Smartts married and moved to Atlanta in 1952. For nearly 62 years, they served the Lord together in congregations in Georgia and Virginia. Mary was known for her unconditional love, honesty, and hospitality.

Survivors include her husband, Kennedy; her children Matthew Smartt of Atlanta, Daniel Smartt of Kathmandu, Nepal, Ellen Manning of Knoxville, and Betty Carter of Birmingham; her brother John Van Voorhis; her sister-in-law Phyllis Van Voorhis; eight grandchildren; and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Mrs. Smartt is preceded in death by her father and mother and her brothers Arnold and Edgar.

The family asks that any gifts be made to Peniel Bible Conference, P.O. Box 369, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846. They also join in saying a special thank you to Mary's caregiver Rosemary Kelso, who has been a treasure to her during these last years.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 31st, at 11:00 a.m. at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church. The Rev. John Batusic and Rev. Kennedy Smartt will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Online condolences may be made at wardsfh.com Ward's Funeral Home 758 Main Street S.W. Gainesville in charge of arrangements.