Mary Jane Kolp Smith

Mary Jane Kolp Smith, 87, of Wichita Falls, passed away on February 12, 2024 in Tallahassee, FL. The family will receive friends at a visitation at Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 5:00 to 6:00pm. Funeral services will be at First United Methodist Church on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 1:00pm with Rev. Dr. John McLarty officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home. Mary Jane was born on September 2, 1936 in Wichita Falls, TX to Russell Rife Kolp and Marguerite Fisher Kolp of Wichita Falls. She attended Ben Franklin Elementary, Zundy Junior High and graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1954. As a result of her parents’ desire to spread her wings and discover more of the country, she attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA. She graduated magna cum laude in 1958 with a degree in Economics, where she was involved in multiple organizations and served as Vice President of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Mary Jane moved to Boston for one year to work for John Hancock Insurance, while dating her soon to be husband, Herbert Rothary Smith. She met Herb her freshman year of college on a blind date in New York City, and he was attending Harvard Business School while she was in Boston. They were married in Wichita Falls on October 17, 1959 before moving to San Francisco, CA. While in San Francisco, Mary Jane worked in the insurance industry prior to the birth of both of their children. Mary Jane, Herb and their children moved back to Wichita Falls in 1968, where they made their life and lived in the same home on Avondale Street for 53 years. While being an active, devoted mother to her children, Mary Jane was also an integral part of the Wichita Falls community. She served on the Symphony Board for decades, as well as a member and volunteer for the Wichita Falls Junior League, the Children’s Home of Wichita Falls, The Woman’s Forum and the Wichita Falls Museum to name a few. In addition, she adored her Sunday school Bi-The-Way class at First United Methodist Church, where she was a member for over 50 years. She deeply treasured the friendships made and faith experiences shared with those members. She moved to Tallahassee, FL in July of 2021, in order to be closer to her daughter’s family and made several dear friends on her street. She held season tickets to the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and was involved with the Westminster Oaks Foundation. Mary Jane was predeceased by her parents Marguerite and Russell Kolp, her brother David Astin Kolp, and her loving husband, Herbert Rothary Smith. She is survived by her son Russell Rothary Smith of Missoula, MT, her daughter and son-in-law Sara and Brewser Brown of Tallahassee, FL, her grandchildren Marguerite Avrett Brown and Cogan Astin Brown of Tallahassee, FL and Caroline Grace Czarnecki of Arlington, VA; her niece and husband Jennie and Chris Zeig of Weatherford, TX, her cousins Mark, Janet, Sam, Sarah and Megan Engleman of Lawrence, KS and her cousins Dusty Rhodes, Milo and Evan Skalicky of Springfield, IL. Mary Jane had an enormous servant’s heart, which touched individuals she encountered near and far. Her family and friends will cherish the memories of her beautiful smile, as well as her lovely, sparkly blue eyes. When specifically asked what she wanted others to think of when they thought of her, Mary Jane would respond that she detested cooking, but she could make a mean ice cream. Her cinnamon ice cream was beyond divine, and she took it to dear friends and family whenever they needed some love. In fact, she told her family, with huge laughter, that they could just put that on her headstone because it was all she was really known for by others. She would never give out the recipe, but her family trusts she is making it in heaven now. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be sent to Wichita Falls Faith Refuge Shelter, 710 E. Hatton Road, Wichita Falls, TC 76302 or Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, 1300 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

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Mary Jane Kolp Smith

September 2, 1936 - February 12, 2024