Mattie Lou Smith

Mattie Lou Smith went home to Jesus on December 25, 2020 at the age of 101. Mattie was born to Reverend Isaac and Eliza (nee Murphy) Green on April 16, 1919 in Eutawville, SC. She was the fifth of fourteen children. As a child, her family moved several times throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina, finally settling in Walterboro in 1937. Mattie met her husband, Sam Elijah Smith (born October 24, 1911), in 1939 in Walterboro. They married on October 12 and were married for 52 years, until Sam’s death on March 31, 1992. They had six children, Sam Elijah Smith Jr (wife: Carolyn), John Wilson Smith (wife: Virginia), Benjamin Franklin Roosevelt Smith, Ernest Gene Smith (wife: Sandra), Louis Elijah Smith, and Anna Lou Smith Jones (husband: Conny), as well as, adopted daughter, Patricia Ann Green Fennell. Sam and Mattie had 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Mattie lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Florida for 23 years. In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Mattie was “adopted” by the many who came into contact with her. She had an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. The values of prayerfulness, patience, and reliance on family are key to legacy that her family will always hold dear. Mattie joins her family members who have already passed to heaven. Public memorial services for her will be held at a later date. Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”