RUFFIN: Mary Elizabeth Garrick Smyly, wife of the late Eugene Willard Smyly, passed away Thursday evening in Ruffin, surrounded by her family at the age of 92.

Mrs. Smyly was born in Norway, SC November 25, 1924 a daughter of the late Amon Alexander Garrick Sr. and Mary Brown Garrick. She was a retired Ruffin Postmaster, and was an active member of St. John United Methodist Church, where she served as church historian and was active in the United Methodist Women's group. "Memie" was a wonderful cook, and was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her daughters, Gloria Smyly Valentine (Charles) of Ruffin, and Donna Smyly Myrick (Roger) of Ulmer. There are five grandchildren: Charla Connelly (Eddie) of Guyton, GA, Carmon Freese of Atlanta, GA, Cara Cook (Tyler) of Louisville, KY, Ryan Myrick (Susan) of Lexington, SC, and Rebecca Smith (Brabham) of Myrtle Beach, SC. There are eight great-grandchildren: Parker, Sanders and Thomas Myrick, Bailey and Emma Connelly, Garrick Freese, and Wayatt and Beau Cook. Mrs. Smyly leaves behind a brother, Amon A. Garrick Jr. (Patricia) 0f Orangeburg, and three devoted friends and caregivers: Vivian McFadden, Lillian Owens and Marie Thompson.


Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in the St. John United Methodist Church in Ruffin, with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Walterboro. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 at the church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the church. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home of Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.