Mary Woodard, 1895-1970, Lamar & Pearl River Counties, MS

Mary Woodard, daughter of Thomas Riley Woodard and Mary Minerva Warden Woodard, was born on 22 September 1895 and died 13 May 1970 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi.  She married Simon Peter Smith, son of Manson Smith and Elizabeth Ann Reid. He was born 5 July 1878 in Lauderdale County, Alabama and died 15 June 1965 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi.

Simon Peter Smith was first married to Harriet Woodard, the sister of Mary Woodard.  From the union with Harriet, there were 4 children surviving- Nathaniel, Luella, Paul and Annie Bertha. Simon & Harriet divorced and Simon married Mary abt. 1914.

According to the 1910 Lamar County, Mississippi census, Mary, then listed as 18 years old, remained in the home with her mother, (Mary) Minerva Woodard.  

1910 Lamar County, Mississippi, Beat 4, Dist 0091

It is estimated that Mary married Simon about 1914.  The World War I registration card (dated 12 September 1918) for Simon P. Smith listed Mary Smith as his wife.  At that time, Simon was a timber contractor for the Bay Creek Lumber Company in Purvis, Mississippi.  

Mary and Simon were residents of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi according to the 1920 census. Simon was employed as a "wood contractor for log company".  Their son, Walter was 3 years & 9 months old.  Also listed in their household were the 4 children from Simon and his first wife, Harriet and a boarder, M.B. Smith (probably a relative of Simon's).  Nathaniel possibly worked for the same lumber company as Simon- his occupation was listed as a "wood chopper for log company".  Lumber was a significant industry during the early 1900's in Mississippi.  

1920 Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, Beat 2, Dist 0075

By 1930, Mary and Simon had moved back to Picayune in Pearl River County, Mississippi and resided off of Bally Creek Road.  There were 4 more children added to their union (in addition to their son, Walter)- sons Toxie, Leo and Thomas and a daughter, Mary. Simon was a salesman in the vegetable industry.

1930 Pearl River County, Picayune, Mississippi, Beat 4, Dist 0006

In 1940, Mary and Simon again appeared on the census for rural Pearl River County.  Simon was doing road work.  Their son, Walter had moved out and they had another child- daughter, Sylvia Jean who was born abt. 1934.  

1940 Pearl River County, Mississippi, Beat 4, Dist 55-13, Sheet #34A

Mary and Simon are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery located in Picayune, Mississippi.  Click here to see their memorial on findagrave.com. 

Simon P. and Mary W. Smith Headstone

Children of Mary Woodard Smith and Simon Peter Smith:

1.  Walter Sephus Smith- born 3 February 1915 in Pearl River County, Mississippi, died 15 September 1983 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi; married Annie Lee Ferguson on 24 May 1946 in Picayune.  She was born 11 July 1921 in Mississippi, died 7 November 2010 in Richton, Perry County, Mississippi.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemtery in Picayune. Walter enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 October 1942 and was released on 5 December 1945.  

2.  William Toxie Smith- born 14 July 1920 in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, died 21 January 1989 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi; married Margaret E. Wallace 23 May 1946.  She was born 16 May 1924 in Mississippi and died 10 October 2008 in Picayune.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery in Picayune.

3.  Mary Ruth Smith- born 7 June 1922 in Pearl River County, Mississippi, died 9 June 1972 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi; married Willard Houston McDuffie.  He was born 20 March 1917 and died 2 December 1987 in Picayune.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery in Picayune.

4. Simon Leo Smith- born 13 October 1926 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi, died 8 July 1978 in Picayune; married Beatrice Marie Ferguson.  She was born 10 April 1930 in Mississippi and died 2 February 1993 in Mississippi.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery in Picayune.  

5. Thomas Clarence Smith- born 20 January 1929 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi, died 16 June 1982 in Picayune; married Salita Ann East.  She was born 11 April 1938 in Picayune and died 18 January 2002 in Picayune.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery in Picayune.

6. Sylvia Jean Smith- born 7 August 1933 in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi, died 1 September 2002 in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; married 24 June 1953 to Fred G. Clark. He was born 22 April 1931 in Alabama and died 25 April 2010 in Slidell.  Both are buried in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery in Picayune.