Mary Edna Taylor Smith, 94, of Harwood, MD, a native of St. Mary's County, died November 13, 2006 in Crofton Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center in Crofton, MD.

Born November 7, 1912 in St. Inigoes, MD, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Clarence and Katherine Raley Taylor. She was a parishioner and member of the Ladies of Charity at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ridge, MD. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Ignatius Church Society, St. Mary's Historical Society and Garden Club. In between duties as a housewife and mother of two children, in April 1946 she became a sales agent for Peoples Life Insurance Company because of the extended illness of her husband Richard L. Smith. He recovered and again became a salesman for Peoples Life. She went on to become one of the leading producers at Peoples Life working for the Waldorf District covering St. Mary's County. At the start of her career few women worked as Peoples Life sales agents. But by 1948, she ranked third in sales and received numerous awards. She qualified each year to attend Peoples Life convention. She retired in 1971. Mary Edna Smith never retired from her generous service of caring for others whether they were family, friends or mere acquaintances. Along with other St. Michael's Catholic Church parishioners she helped found the Monsignor John Peacock's Scholarship Fund through Pennies from Heaven collections. In 2003 she received a Papal Honor and the Archdiocesan Order of Merit for her lifelong works of charity. She spent her last years at Crofton Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center in Crofton, MD.

She is survived by a son Robert Taylor Smith of Hagerstown, MD, 2 daughters-in-law, Dorothy Cullison Smith and Mary Mueller Smith, 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Louis Smith and a son, Richard Louis Smith, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ridge, MD. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Church. The Reverend Maurice O'Connell will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in St. Mary's City, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Msgr. John B. Peacock Memorial Fund. P.O. Box 429, Ridge, MD 20680.