Mary Frances Smith McLendon

Mary Frances Smith McLendon, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Guyton, GA, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, following a long and joyous, well-lived life.

Mary was born on October 7, 1930, in Grays, South Carolina, to the late Baron Simpson Smith and Marina Elizabeth Peeples Smith. She grew up in the Carolina sunshine where she was widowed by her first love, Kenneth Smith,  as a young adult. She eventually made her way to Savannah, GA, where she met her husband, William Larry McLendon, Sr, and answered her natural calling to become the matriarch of a large, loving family.

Mary thrived in the business world while raising her family as well. She devoted many years of employment with Greene Brothers of Savannah, operated numerous businesses with her husband – Mack's Bait Ranch, Love's Seafood Restaurant, Pineora Handi-House, Pineora Feed & Seed/Pawn – and also retired as the manager of Savannah Postal Credit Union. Mary's true passion throughout her life, though, remained her family.

Mary was a faithful and loving servant of God and raised her children in Pine Street Baptist Church in Guyton during their youth. Later, Mary joined Sandhill Baptist Church in Guyton, where she remained active until recent conditions no longer allowed her to attend.

Mary was known for providing attentive care, wise counsel, firm guidance, and an abundance of love to her family and friends and to those lucky enough to know her. She was a well-recognized fixture at area schools, recreation parks, field trips, and churches, where she supported every young family member's endeavors with gusto. Mary's feisty spirit and legacy of kindness will live on in the lives of her descendants, whom she taught by her example.

In addition to her parents and Kenneth Smith, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, William Larry McLendon, Sr; her daughter Nancy McLendon Floyd; her brothers Walker, Rogers, Billy, Thomas, and Joe Smith; and sisters Vernell and Lorraine Smith.

Mary is survived by her children, William L. (Bill) McLendon, Jr (Jamie), Marla McLendon, Rhonda M. Clifton (Roy), and son-in-law David Floyd; her grandchildren Kindall Harville (Andy), Megan Greenwalt (Sam), Kaleb McLendon (Susan), Jenna Anderson (Chance), Kevin Floyd, Cameron McLendon (Aaron), Will DeFilippis (Anna), Luke DeFilippis, Michael Clifton, Alex DeFilippis, and Hannah Clifton; sister-in-law Connie Smith; as well as eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones. Mary is also survived by her close friend and caregiver, Joyce Wilkerson. Joyce provided Mary with the same loving care Mary was so accustomed to giving to others but, instead, finally accepted for herself, for which the family is deeply grateful.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 2, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Strickland's Funeral Home, 2460 Hwy. 21 S., Rincon, GA 31326 followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Brother Royce Hendry officiating. Mary's grandsons, Kaleb McLendon, Kevin Floyd, Will, Luke, and Alex DeFilippis, and Michael Clifton, are honored to serve as her pallbearers.

Burial will be in Guyton Cemetery.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421