Mary Fern (Smith) Frazier

Mary Fern Frazier peacefully crossed the veil into everlasting life on Friday, April 20, 2018 with her daughter, Linda at her side, holding her hand.

She was born to Jesse W Smith and Elinda (Brown) Smith on October 27, 1920 in Orange, Texas, where she resided until March 2003 when she moved to Iowa to live with her daughter, Linda Weaver. Services, under the direction of Dorman Funeral Home, will held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 1:00 PM, at Dorman Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to services, from 11:00 until service time. Deacon James Berry will be officiating.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She joined in marriage with Aleck G. Frazier on June 6, 1938 until his death in September 1975. That marriage resulted in the births of five children. Mary was a homemaker for many years, had a home beauty parlor, took in laundry, ironing and sewing to help support the family while Aleck worked as a minister and a carpenter at U.S. Steel. Mary remarried on June 3, 1977 to Paul B. (Burt) Willey and was with him until his death in August 1999. She gained another daughter and son-law whom she loved dearly, and they blessed her with two more grandchildren. Mary loved to sing, read her Bible, watch Wheel of Fortune, garden, and spend time with her family. She was a wonderful cook and baker and made lavish holiday meals for large family gatherings. She also loved to wear hats and had a large collection. Mary loved to travel and traveled all over the U.S., including Alaska,Hawaii and throughout Canada, with her daughter and son-in-law. Mary loved her family very much and was very proud of all their accomplishments. She bragged about all of them to anyone who’d listen. She was adored by her family, friends and everyone who knew her. Mary moved into the Rowley Masonic Community in October of 2017, where she was well taken care of until her passing. Family wishes to thank all the staff for their love and compassion and caregiving in the last months of Mary’s life.

Left behind to cherish her memory are sons, Jerry Frazier of Orange, Andy (Janet) Frazier of Huntsville, Glenn (Cindy) Frazier of Lumberton, three daughters, Wanda (Gary) Procell of Lena, LA, Linda (Keith) Weaver of Indianola, IA, and Lera (Ross) Burton of Mauriceville, TX. Mary had 11 grandchildren, Avanelle (Ronald) Phelps, Wesley (Donna) Procell, Regina (Louia) Whittaker, Karen (Duane) Hines, Kim (Brandon) Ray, Christie (Ronnie) Morris, Michael (Mary) Frazier, Elinda Peterson, Jennifer McIntyre, Christel (Derrick) Foxworth, and Adam Burton. She also had 21 great grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren with one on the way.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Leon Smith, Dan Smith, Jesse Smith, and Bill Jackson, daughters- in- law, Gertie Frazier and Linda (Frazier) Rinehart, 2 great grandchildren, Charlotte and Robert Whittaker. Pallbearers honoring Mary are her great grandsons, Ronald Phelps, Aaron Phelps, Ronald Morris III, Justin Morris, Zane Turner, and Xavier McIntyre. Honorary pallbearers, Kaden Frazier, Logan McIntrye, Andrew Compton, and Noah Compton.

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