Mary Kathleen Smith

Mary Kathleen Croslin Smith, a beloved mother, wife, friend, and homemaker, joined her husband B. Don Smith, her brother and sister-in-law, James W. And Shirley Croslin, and her parents, Winston D. and Mary Lucile Croslin in Heaven on Sunday, April 28th after a hospital stay. She was 82 years old. Graveside: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019 in Rehoboth Cemetery, 7300 S. Cooper Street, Arlington. Mary was born November 25, 1936 in Fort Worth, Texas into a loving newspaper family. Her father was head artist and editorial cartoonist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for over 40 years. Mary grew up in Fort Worth and lived an “ideal” childhood as she often described it. She attended Paschal High School and later graduated with honors from Texas Christian University. Mary worked briefly as an elementary school art teacher and for The Western Company after college until she met the love of her life, Billy Don Smith. After a whirlwind romance, they were married and later had two children, Marianna and Bryan. Mary enjoyed being a mother and chose to stay home as a mother and homemaker. Her husband, Don, also a newspaperman, worked for United Press International when President Kennedy was assassinated and went on to work as a city editor and later managing editor for the Dallas Morning News for over 30 years. Mary was extremely proud of her husband and family. Mary, Don, and Mary's brother, Jim Croslin, and his wife, Shirley, spent many hours together enjoying listening to live jazz performances and hosting family gatherings. Mary always regarded her brother, Jim, as her hero. A longtime resident of Arlington, Mary greatly enjoyed gardening, music, raising her children, and participating in their school activities. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, Don, and they were both particularly fond of visiting the San Francisco and Northern California coastal area. In later years, Mary and Don moved from Arlington to Montgomery County on Lake Conroe. During this time, Don's health began to fail, and Mary became a staunch advocate and prolific writer on behalf of Don and organ transplantation. After Don's passing in 2007, Mary eventually returned to north Texas and lived in North Richland Hills, Bedford, and Grapevine, spending time with her family. She adored her children and her niece, Laura Croslin Witcher, and nephew, John W. Croslin. She is survived by her children, Marianna Smith Bond and Bryan Croslin Smith, son-in-law, Terry A. Bond, grandchildren, Christina E. Bond and Travis A. Bond, great-granddaughter, Camille Bond, niece, Laura Croslin Witcher, nephew John W. Croslin (Angie), and four grandnieces (Clair, Elise, Meredith, and Olivia), as well as treasured friends. Wade Family Funeral Home & Crematory 817-274-9233