Mary Ann Ring Smith

Mary Ann Ring Smith, 83, of Morganton died Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Grace Hospital. Born in Dante, VA on October 8, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Jon Wesley Ring and Maude Milhorn Ring. Mary was a member of Mount Home Baptist Church. She was a graduate of the Grace Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at Grace Hospital, Broughton Hospital, and Western Carolina Center. She loved to bake fudge and make homemade ice cream for family cook-outs. Mary loved her pets.Mary is survived by her son, John B. Smith, III and his wife, Mechele, of Morganton; a daughter, Becky Smith of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Joshua, Destiny, Danielle, Miranda, Kimberly, Rebecca, Zion, and Jordan Smith; great-grandchildren, David and Cole Smith; brothers, Tom Ring and his wife, Yvonne, of W. Jefferson, NC and Buford Ring and his wife, Stella, of Lake City, FL; a sister, Rita Jo Banner and her husband, Steve, of Castlewood, VA; a step-sister, Linda Mullins of Charlotte, NC; a sister-in-law, Louise Ring of Lake City, FL; a former daughter-in-law, Robin Smith; and a good friend and neighbor, Arnold Mull.In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, J. B. Smith, Jr.; step-mother, Leona Ring; a brother, Fred Ring; and a sister, Lorene Mullins.The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Mt. Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. prior to the funeral.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke County Friends for Animals, P.O. Box 1884, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Mt. Home Baptist Church, 2272 Mt. Home Church, Morganton, NC 28655.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.