Mary Eliza (Smarr) Bankhead

Mary Eliza Smarr Bankhead, 87, passed away on May 12, 2023 at her home in Sharon, SC from vascular dementia. Born on May 29, 1935 in Hickory Grove, SC to the late Grace Goforth Smarr and A.W. Smarr. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charles, Jr and her siblings, Colonel Albert Smarr, Jr., Myrle Jett, Frances Brown, Margaret McClure, and Bill Smarr.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her family. She married Charles Bankhead Jr. in 1955 and they were happily married for 63 years. They raised three daughters together, Becky (Keith) Boone, Beverly Beasley, and Julie (Scott) Bankhead, and were loving grandparents and great grandparents. 

She was an orthodontic dental assistant for 16 years for Drs. Owen, Harrelson, and Jordan and was highly respected by her colleagues and patients. Later in her career, Mary worked at Bankhead Refrigeration in Charlotte, NC until retiring with Charlie to Sharon, SC.

Mary’s smile, love, care and kindness would light up everyone’s heart, even if you were a stranger. Aside from her love of gardening, she was part of the Neighborhood Watch Program, Broad River Basin Historical Society, Sharon Women’s Club, RSES Women’s Auxiliary, Red Cross, Petal Pushers Garden Club, General Robert Irwin D.A.R. of Charlotte and Kings Mountain D.A.R. Chapter. 

Mary was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice that would make goose bumps rise on your arms and the little kids giggle. She sang with such passion and love in church choirs, funerals, weddings, and the Billy Graham Crusade. In the early 1960s, she sang in the Charlotte Singing Christmas Tree for several years. 

A memorial service will be hosted by Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC, held at 11 am on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Sharon, SC. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodlawn Presbyterian Church (P.0. Box 189, Sharon, SC 29742) or Providence Care Hospice (500 Lakeshore Parkway, Rock Hill, SC 28730) in Mary’s name.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.

Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is serving the Bankhead family.

Rest in peace, Mary/Mother/MawMaw. Your memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved you! 

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