Mary Ann Smith

Mary Ann Smith, age 95, passed away on November 22, 2021. She was born on September 27, 1926 in Grapeland, Texas; the oldest of two children born to John Speer Darsey and Ora Gainey Darsey. Mary Ann grew up in a small town with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

She excelled in all subjects in school, including music and was the Salutatorian of class at Grapeland High School. She went on to receive her Bachelors in Music from North Texas University and taught Elementary Music and children’s church choir in Alvin, Texas. She also taught at Crockett Intermediate before finishing her career in Conroe after teaching at Anderson and Sam Houston Elementary. She was a proud member of the Retired Teachers Association of Montgomery County.

Raised in a family of faith, she was a lifelong and charter member of Grapeland United Methodist Church and a 62-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Conroe. Mary Ann was also the family historian and contributed to several books and helped many family members trace and know their history.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Speer Darsey and Ora Gainey Smith, and her sister, Mattie Lee Smith. She is survived by her children, Randy Smith, Julie Shelton and Gretchen Luellen and husband Gregg; grandchildren, Chas Shelton, Cullen Shelton, Carrie Anderson and husband Clint, Cailan Shelton, Leslie Esquivel and husband Cris, Kelly Smith, Jackson Smith and wife Mercedes, Tori Smith, Garett Luellen and Darsey Luellen; and great grandchildren, Cheyenne Anderson, Caydi Anderson, Coye Anderson, Beckett Smith, Mai Esquivel and Daniel Esquivel.

Mary Ann Smith, age 95, passed away on November 22, 2021. She was born on September 27, 1926 in Grapeland, Texas; the oldest of two children born to John Speer Darsey and Ora Gainey Darsey. Mary Ann grew up in a small town with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
She excelled in all subjects in school, including music and was the Salutatorian of class at Grapeland High School. She went on to receive her Bachelors in Music from North Texas University and taught Elementary Music and children’s church choir in Alvin, Texas. She also taught at Crockett Intermediate before finishing her career in Conroe after teaching at Anderson and Sam Houston Elementary. She was a proud member of the Retired Teachers Association of Montgomery County.

Raised in a family of faith, she was a lifelong and charter member of Grapeland United Methodist Church and a 62-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Conroe. Mary Ann was also the family historian and contributed to several books and helped many family members trace and know their history.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Speer Darsey and Ora Gainey Smith, and her sister, Mattie Lee Smith. She is survived by her children, Randy Smith, Julie Shelton and Gretchen Luellen and husband Gregg; grandchildren, Chas Shelton, Cullen Shelton, Carrie Anderson and husband Clint, Cailan Shelton, Leslie Esquivel and husband Cris, Kelly Smith, Jackson Smith and wife Mercedes, Tori Smith, Garett Luellen and Darsey Luellen; and great grandchildren, Cheyenne Anderson, Caydi Anderson, Coye Anderson, Beckett Smith, Mai Esquivel and Daniel Esquivel.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, November 29, 2021 with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at First Methodist Conroe, 4308 W Davis Street, Conroe, Texas 77304. Graveside services and burial will follow at 2:30 pm in the Grapeland City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home or to the American Red Cross. Those wishing to post tributes and memories to the family may do so at www.eickenhorstfuneral.com . Graveside services and burial will follow at 2:30 pm in the Grapeland City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home or to the American Red Cross.