Mary Alyce Smith was born January 12, 1943 in Plattsburgh, New York to Melford Henry Bennett and Elizabeth Mary LaBombarde. She passed from this life to the next on June 9, 2023.

After the tragic and untimely deaths of her mother and father, Mary Alyce grew close to her Aunt, Hazel Gough, who became much like a mother to her as she navigated life's intricacies. One day while grocery shopping, she met a man named Franklin. Little did she know, he would change her life entirely. They fell in love and later got married, eventually moving to Kentucky where together they raised 3 amazing children. They cared for 8 grandchildren and 18 great grand children.

The love of Mary Alyce will be felt for generations to come. While her greatest devotion was to her family, her impact reached countless others through her love of teaching.

After completing her bachelors and masters degree in the same semester, Mary Alyce went right back into the classroom. For over 40 years, she taught children of all ages across several subjects. She was even nominated for Who's Who of educators. No matter the grade level, she made a point to instill more than just information from a text book. She challenged her students and equipped them for the real walk of life.

Spending time with her, you were guaranteed to either learn something you didn't know or to expand your knowledge on what you thought you knew. She cared greatly for her family and her students. The world is a much better place having known her.

Mary Alyce Smith was preceded in death by her grandparents, Thomas Murtagh and MaryAlice Anderson; her parents, Melford Henry Bennett and Elizabeth Mary LaBombarde; her Uncle, Lawrence LaBombarde; her Aunt, Helen Ashline; and her great-grandson, Wyatt Buroker.

She is survived by her husband, Franklin Dwight Smith; her Aunt, Hazel Gough; Her children, Joseph and Julie Smith, Penny Smith, and Elizabeth Jackson; her grandchildren, Thomas and Lisa Smith, Brittney Jackson, Amber Buroker, Justin and Jenni Smith, Joshua and Ali Montemayor, Samantha Buroker and Sean Taylor, Torey Talley, and Matthew and Lexus Antoine; and her 18 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Alyce would like donations to be made to your church of choice or to Cedar Valley Christian Center, 639 W Wintergreen Rd. Lancaster, TX, where her services will be held.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Byrum Funeral Home Chapel. A celebration of Mary's life will be at 10:00am on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Cedar Valley Christian Center in Lancaster with a private graveside at DFW National Cemetery at a later date.