Mary Gaulding Smith passed away on February 20, 2012, in Carrollton, Georgia. Born on August 12, 1922, in Villa Rica, Georgia, she was the third of three children of Dr. S.A. Gaulding and Jessie Henderson Gaulding,. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Helen Gaulding Lawson and Edna Gaulding Goddard. Mary enjoyed athletics all her life. She was a star basketball player at Villa Rica High School once scoring 52 points in a game. She attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, majoring in physical education. On January 31, 1943, she married U.S. Army Sgt. Homer L. Smith, Sr. and followed him to his duty stations in the U.S. Homer introduced her to golf while stationed in Little Rock, AK, before his deployment to the European Theater during WWII. After the war they made their home in Carrollton. They were founding members of Sunset Hills Country Club. Golf became a passion, an ideal sport for combining her athletic talent and her competitive spirit. She was a seven-time Women's Club Champion at Sunset Hills Country Club. In 1963, Mary went back to college to complete a degree in Elementary Education at West Georgia College. She subsequently taught 5th and 6th grade in the Carrollton City School system until her retirement in 1983. She loved teaching, saying she "thoroughly enjoyed teaching this age group". Mary was a member of the Arts Study Club of Carrollton, and Sunset Hill Lady's Golf Association. Mary was a loving mother and volunteer, serving as Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout leader which included a finale trip for the Girl Scouts to Savannah on the historic "Nancy Hanks" train to visit Juliette Lowe's home. She spent many playful hours "shooting baskets" with her children and their friends, watching innumerable basketball, baseball, and football games, dance and piano recitals. For several years after retirement Homer and Mary enjoyed traveling. In 1996 they made a historic trip to France with Homer's former Army division to commemorate the Fifty Year Anniversary of the victory in Europe. The veterans retraced their war journey and shared the experience with their spouses, culminating in a grand celebration in Paris which included a parade through the Arch d'Triumphe and official tributes and signings of appreciation by French government officials. A member of Carrollton First Baptist Church since 2002, Mary was a member of the Fidelis Sunday School class, where she had many special friends. She was a member of Carrollton Presbyterian Church from 1946-2002, where she served as an Elder, Youth Group Leader with Homer, and was active in Women of the Church activities. In addition to her husband, survivors include her daughter, Mary Lynn Frazier and her husband, Larry; her son, Lynton Smith, all of Carrollton; two grandchildren: Melissa Brook Smith, Carrollton and John Andrew White, Jr. (Drew), currently stationed in Hoenfels, Germany, and his wife, Johanna; and one great-granddaughter, Dreanna Annelle White. The family would like to give special thanks for the loving care provided by Guardian Angels and Altus Hospice Care. Visitation will be at Almon Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 22, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Carrollton First Baptist Church at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Villa Rica, GA. Pallbearers will be Huck Smith, Danny King, Herb Forrester, Dr. Tee Reeve, Rufus Dixon and Lance Cantrell. Honorary pallbearers will be the Fidelis Sunday School Class and the Sunset Hills Country Club Ladies Golf Association. Memorial gifts may be made to Carrollton First Baptist Church, 102 Dixie Street, Carrollton, GA 30117 or Altus Hospice, 151a Bay View Drive; Villa Rica, GA 30180. Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com. Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.