Obituary for Mary Louise Smith
Mary Louise Smith, known as ML/Emil, 96, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at Stonebridge Health Campus in Bedford, IN. Mary Louise was born November 6, 1923, in Monroe County and was the daughter of Samuel Ray and Lula (Perry) Crain. She was raised in Elwren, IN, where she attended Elwren School. Mary Louise was a 1941 graduate of Bloomington High School, worked at RCA in Bloomington, and was a homemaker. She was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend to many.
Mary Louise was one of the oldest living members of Stanford Baptist Church and had served for many years as the pianist with the gift of musicality. Without ever receiving any piano lessons, she was able to play any song. She was a member of the church choral choir and bell choir. She enjoyed participating in a kitchen band that performed at local nursing homes. She was an assistant fan club president and outstanding member of the Joe Edwards Fan Club. She was a fixture for many years at IU football and basketball events working the concession stand for Stanford Baptist Church for 30 years. She worked at multiple polling sites for elections for 30 years as well.
She was loquacious, a wonderful cook and baker, an avid reader, and cruciverbalist. Other hobbies included playing cards, listening to country music, and sharing time with numerous friends. Mary Louise never met a stranger.
Mary Louise is survived by 3 children, Carla (John) Timms of Littleton, CO, David (Kathy) Smith of Bloomington, and Pam Clampitt-Arnold (Tony) of Williams. She is survived by 12 grandchildren: John Timms, Jason Timms, Jami De Siena, Jennifer Smith, Matthew Smith, Michael Smith, Aimee Smith, Andrew Clampitt, Philip Clampitt, Jared Clampitt, Jonathan Clampitt, and Joel Clampitt. Also surviving are 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Carl Edwin Smith, three brothers: Paul Crain, Stanley Crain, Louis Crain, and a sister, Mildred (Crain) Williams.
Private family services will be held with burial at Clover Hill Cemetery on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
A memorial service to celebrate Mary Louise’s life will be held at a later date when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Mary Louise was one of the oldest living members of Stanford Baptist Church and had served for many years as the pianist with the gift of musicality. Without ever receiving any piano lessons, she was able to play any song. She was a member of the church choral choir and bell choir. She enjoyed participating in a kitchen band that performed at local nursing homes. She was an assistant fan club president and outstanding member of the Joe Edwards Fan Club. She was a fixture for many years at IU football and basketball events working the concession stand for Stanford Baptist Church for 30 years. She worked at multiple polling sites for elections for 30 years as well.
She was loquacious, a wonderful cook and baker, an avid reader, and cruciverbalist. Other hobbies included playing cards, listening to country music, and sharing time with numerous friends. Mary Louise never met a stranger.
Mary Louise is survived by 3 children, Carla (John) Timms of Littleton, CO, David (Kathy) Smith of Bloomington, and Pam Clampitt-Arnold (Tony) of Williams. She is survived by 12 grandchildren: John Timms, Jason Timms, Jami De Siena, Jennifer Smith, Matthew Smith, Michael Smith, Aimee Smith, Andrew Clampitt, Philip Clampitt, Jared Clampitt, Jonathan Clampitt, and Joel Clampitt. Also surviving are 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband Carl Edwin Smith, three brothers: Paul Crain, Stanley Crain, Louis Crain, and a sister, Mildred (Crain) Williams.
Private family services will be held with burial at Clover Hill Cemetery on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
A memorial service to celebrate Mary Louise’s life will be held at a later date when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.