Ms. Maryann Carpenter Smith was blessed with her heavenly wings to join her beloved mother on Friday, August 5, 2016 after she transitioned unexpectedly.

Maryann was born to the union of Morris and Yvonne Carpenter on March 1, 1956 in Pinesville, Louisiana.  She moved with her family to Massillon, OH in 1969.  She attended Peabody Elementary in Louisiana and graduated from Massillon High School in 1975.

Maryann accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Friendship Baptist Church along with her family upon arriving in Massillon.  Maryann loved her church and attended faithfully until her time of transition.  

She met and married the late William Peak in 1977 and later married Frank Smith, Sr. in 1992. Her        biological children include Sameika Carpenter, Monique (Derico) Peak Sims and Frank Smith, Jr. (Mook) and she raised Porcha King and her step-children; Erica (Rev. Shawn) Lemon and William Peak, Jr.  She was also known as Mom to Lorenzo Hinton, N’Tari Johnson, Elijah Baldwin and Jarvis Duncan.  

Her history of employment included Century Products where she worked in production, and  as a Direct Care Giver she worked at Massillon State Hospital, The Legends and Midwest Behavioral Health from where she retired in 2002. Always a sharp dresser, her flare for fashion led her to model  for many years for designers such as Esther Bryant and the late Willie Paul. 

Maryann was very passionate about her family!  She loved being around all of her family but especially her children and her granddaughter Tejuania Cundiff, with whom she was almost inseparable. Maryann loved life and found something good in every situation.  She enjoyed cooking, listening to music and she loved to dance.  Her smile was infectious and her parting words to everyone was “I love you”!

She left leaving to cherish her memories all of her children, who will miss her dearly, five  brothers;     Gregory (Jackie) Carpenter, Donald Thomas, Michael (Pamela) Carpenter, all of Massillon , Calvin Grace of Canton and Adrian Grace from Las Vegas, NV, four sisters; Marie McBride, Pearline Thomas and ChandraCarpenter Wagner, all of Massillon and Diane Thomas of Toledo, OH, her granddaughters;  Tejuania and LaNique King, Amari King, Zaniah Hamilton, Saamere King, grandson; Antonio Ulis, Jr., two uncles; Oliver (Betty) Johnson and Fred (Willa Mae) Carpenter, one aunt; Carrie Carpenter, her little babies; nieces Jaquayla Wagner and Gracyie Suggs, and nephew Braylin Suggs, other special nephews; Devon Spencer, Terrance Suggs, Jr. and Quintin Hamilton, special niece; Eliza Hamilton, Lakeisha McCullough, Keyauna McCullough, Toccara Carpenter, special cousins; Willa, Lucy, Shaneena and Trieisua Carpenter and their father, Jack Carpenter and    Stephanie Johnson, her god-sister; Latosha   Carpenter, god-daughter; Marla Smith, god-son; Dominique Harris, other special “brothers”; Gregory Nichols, Joseph Dyer, Jeff  Evans, Freddie Evans, Clark Beard,  Ricky Spencer, Sam Clark, Gregory Lee, Paul Turner, Jackie Ray Lee and John Wilkerson, and “sisters” Pamela Hughes and Gloria Brooks, a    special friend; John Wright, Jr.; best friends, Eljaree Stargen, Belinda Baxter and Mary Linda Wright and a host of nieces, nephews,     cousins, friends and her Friendship Baptist Church  family 
Waiting for her on the other side are her parents; Morris Carpenter and Yvonne Grace, her step-father; Ernest Grace, grandparents; Emily and David Johnson, Sr., sister; Doris Thomas, and uncles; David     Johnson, Jr. and Deacon Odell Carpenter.

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