SMITH, Annie Mae

McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel, Safford, Arizona Annie Mae Smith November 8, 1923 ~ May 5, 2013 Annie Mae Melton Smith passed from this life on May 5, 2013 while visiting her daughter in Leander, Texas. Mae, as most knew her by, was born on November 8, 1923 in Hugo, Oklahoma to John Calvin Melton and Sally Edna Harwell Melton. Mae married Dillard on July 4, 1940, at midnight, at the foot of the preacher's bed! On August 13, 1944 they had their first son, Dillard Larry followed by their second son, Leslie Don born May 4, 1946, third son, Ronnie Dale, on January 5, 1948, forth son Jesse Wendell on March 17, 1951, fifth son Willard “Butch” Lindell on November 29, 1952, first daughter, Emma “Sissy” Yvonne on April 6, 1955 and second daughter, Linda Kay on April 5, 1961. They moved to Morenci, AZ in 1946 and lived there until Dillard's retirement in 1982, then resided in Pima, AZ until their passing. They had been married 69 years, 11 months and one day when Dillard passed in 2010. Mae was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Dillard Leslie Smith; three children – Dillard Larry, Ronnie Dale and Emma Yvonne “Sissy”; also by both parents; siblings Wade and Hugh Melton, Helen Doner, Ruby & Walt Grimes; and special nephews Royce and Donnie Melton. She is survived by her 4 children and their spouses – Don (Peggy) of Pima, AZ, Jesse (Jackie) of Somerset, KY, Willard “Butch” (Sherry) of Odessa, TX and Linda (Bruce Campbell) of Leander, TX; 27 grand children, 54 great grand children (plus 2 on the way) and 7 great-great grand children from the states of Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma and Washington; sister – Edna McCullars; special nephew & his wife – Bobby & Linda Melton (she thought of him as half hers); in-laws Ernest & Christine Chapman, Molly Smith, Fred Tankersley, Margaret Clark; and many nieces and nephews as well as many friends. The visitation/viewing will be held at 1:00 p.m. at McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 11, 2013 with services beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow directly after the services at Gila Valley Memorial Gardens.