Ethel Irene "Gran" Smythers, 86, of Hollywood, MD formerly West Piney, VA died January 13, 2009 at her residence. Born September 22, 1922 in West Piney, VA she was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Nannie Malvania Parks Arnold.

She was preceded in death by her husband Vivian Leon Smythers on April 23, 1995, they were married on December 19, 1941 in Wytheville, VA.

She is survived by her children Carolyn Bowen and her husband James of Lusby, Richard Smythers and his wife Joan of Hollywood, MD, Robert Smythers of Ionia, MO and Kenneth Smythers of Branford, FL; siblings Elizabeth Turner of Max Meadows, VA and Claude Arnold of Cooksville, TN; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her siblings Lillie Arnold, Anna Mae Jones, Rosa Shupe, Ada Arnold, Willy Gray Arnold, Elmer Arnold, Marvin Arnold, Ernest Arnold, Lawrence Arnold and John Winton Arnold.

Gran moved to St. Mary's County in 1946 from VA.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 16, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sheldon Reese officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Dennis Dailey, Travis Dailey, Kenneth Smythers, Craig Hill, Dave Lang and Tim McElfresh. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jessie Case, Robert Case, Michael Case, Rebecca Smythers, Kerry Trossbach and Tonya Vance.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.