Mavis W. (White) Smith

Mavis W. Smith (nee White), 91, went home to be with the Lord, peacefully, on Tuesday June 30, 2026 at O’Neill Assisted Living in North Ridgeville.  She was born July 12, 1934 in Baldwin, West Virginia, in a house that was built by her great-grandparents.  She was a 1953 graduate of Sand Fork High School, Gilmer County, West Virginia, and then graduated from Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia in 1957, majoring in English and Library Science.  Mavis later took graduate classes at Kent State University in Ohio.  She married Richard Dean Smith in 1957, a fellow graduate of Glenville State College, and they soon moved to Elyria.  A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Mavis was an active member of First Baptist Church of Elyria.  For many years, she worked in the library of First Baptist Church and First Baptist Christian School.  She enjoyed reading, and creating posters and bulletin boards. Mavis found great pleasure in the company of her beloved family, especially her granddaughter. Mavis W. Smith is survived by: her son, Gary Smith (Suzanne) of LaGrange; her granddaughter, Anna Waite (David) of Elyria; her brother-in-law, Virgil Smith (June) of Grafton; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Starett and Janet Smith, both of Elyria.  She was preceded in death by: her beloved husband, Richard Dean Smith in 1991; her dear son, Ron Smith in 1991; her dear daughter, Becky Smith in 1996; her parents, Roy M. and Evelyn (nee West) White; her brother, Roy E. White; and a dear uncle, H. F. West.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday July 7, 2026 from 4 to 7pm at First Baptist Church, 11400 LaGrange Road, Elyria.  The Funeral Service will be Wednesday July 8, 2026 at 11am at the church.  Pastor Dave Burman Jr., will officiate.  Burial will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon.  The family wishes to thank the staff at O’Neill Healthcare in North Ridgeville for the constant good care that they gave to Mavis, and to O’Neill Hospice for the gentle and loving way that they cared for her as well.             

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