Mary Gean Smyth

Mary Gean Smyth, formerly of Tyler, Texas, passed away on February 27, 2025, at the age of 94. Mary Gean was born in Houston, Texas on January 17, 1931, to Ben Griffin Turner and Jewel Sinclair Harkins Turner. 

The family relocated to Cleburne, Texas in 1942 where Mary Gean would welcome a sister and brother. She graduated from Cleburne High School and attended Texas Christian University. Mary Gean married William Colquitt Smyth (Bill) on June 16, 1951 and they lived in Galveston, Fort Worth and thereafter Tyler as Bill completed medical school, his residency and began his medical career. They welcomed three children. Mary Gean was active in her community as a member of Glenwood Church of Christ, Tyler Junior League, Smith County Medical Auxiliary and Culta Mea Literary Club. She volunteered at many Rose Festival events and co-founded Thursday School for Little Children at Glenwood. Mary Gean loved Tyler and loved being a tour guide for Historic Tyler. She was well known for her homemade sourdough bread and hot rolls, feeding family and friends and leaving these legacies behind for fellow bakers and generations to come. 

Mary Gean is survived by her son, Stephan Smyth and wife, Sharon, daughters, Stephanie Grant and husband, Bob, and Sallee Schwartzberg and husband, Scot; grandchildren, Virginia and Luke Walker, Will Smyth, Griffin and Amanda Smyth, Austin and Anita Caudle, and Ben Schwartzberg; great grandchildren, Wyatt, Owen, Aubrey, Tyler and Waylon; sister Sallee Craine and her husband Dan, brother, Ben Hill Turner and his wife, Donna and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Rosser Funeral Home, Cleburne, Texas followed by burial at Rosehill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pine Cove Camp and Christian Homes and Family Services of East Texas, both in Tyler, Texas.