Gone to meet her Lord and family, Mary Ruth (Dawson) Smith died peacefully at home on February 15, 2025 at the age of 74 years. Born in a four-room house on a mountain in the coal mining town of Bradshaw in southern West Virginia, Mary was the third of four children born to the late William Henry (Bill) and Claudine (Jones) Dawson. She grew up in meager surroundings, having only minimal necessities. Early in her school years, Mary decided she would make a better life for herself and her family, so she made a plan.

As a high school senior, Mary met and married Henry Damon Smith in 1967. Immediately following their wedding, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area to live with her new in-laws. She finished high school and began working for the federal government as a GS-2 clerk typist. Mary loved working and learning, earning promotions sooner than expected. With brief breaks in her federal service for Henry's army assignments and the birth of their three sons, Mary spent the next 12 years as an administrative assistant and secretary working for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Eventually Mary and Henry moved to Fredericksburg, VA and over the next decades made the long commute to Washington, DC where they both worked. Mary started employment with the U.S. Coast Guard in International Affairs and worked her way up to the prestigious position of managing all international training provided by the Coast Guard. Her job required extensive international travel and sensitivity to cultural differences. She retired from federal service with high honors in September of 1996, and then began collaborating with retired colleagues to continue to support international training through Lockheed Martin contracts. After retirement, Mary and Henry moved to Florida to enjoy the sunshine.

Mary is survived by her husband Henry and their three sons, Henry Damon Jr. (Andrea) of Locust Grove, VA, Michael Wayne (Sheri), of Georgetown, FL, and Tracey Scott (Vicki) of Fredericksburg, VA, her loving sister and best friend, Frances Ward (Benton), nine grandchildren, two great grandsons, nieces, nephews, and her triple A; Allie, Aimee, and Andie. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, William Thomas Dawson "Tommy", and her sister, Linda Carol Taylor.

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 12:00 pm until 1:00 p.m. at Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Road, Spotsylvania. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm the same day at Laurel Hill Funeral Home followed by a burial at Laurel Hill Memorial Park at 2:00pm.