Mary Mitchell Nation was born March 15, 1936, in Beech Grove, Texas, to the parents of Odis and Survenner Smith, who both deceased her.

Mary was one of the most kind, hardworking, loving woman you could ever meet. She began cooking in a cafe at the age of thirteen and never believed in letting a soul go hungry. She enjoying spending her time cooking, fishing, and planting vegetables in her garden. The one thing she was most proud of was her children, not only the six kids of her's she raised, but all the children she took over as being their mother while devoting 35 plus years of being a foster parent. Being a foster parent came natural to her, she treated each child as if they were her own biological children. With her structure, love, and best home cooked meals you ever tasted, in the foster parent community, she had the reputation of being able to handle the "taught ones," and that she did, simply by showing them love.

She was always filled with much needed advice and spiritual guidance, "whether you wanted to hear it or not," but in the end, you always depended on it.

She is preceded in death by father, Odis Smith; mother, Survenner Smith; sister, Georgian Hawthorne; sons, Alvin and James Nation; and grandaughter, Tenesha Sankoh.

She leaves to cherish her memory: living children, Alice Faye of Norflok, Virgina, Chris, and Terrance Nation both of Beaumont, Texas, and Anna Nation of Jasper, Texas; grandchildren, Sean Dixson, Kailee Nation, Christopher Nation, Jr., Isaiah Nation, Christiana Nation, and King Nation; great-grandchildren, Keon Jessup, Haley Dixson, Sean Dixson, Jr., and Destinee Maybee; special friend/caregiver, Tammy; and special friend, Sue Moran.

Mary was a devoted, hardworking parent. She enjoyed spending her time taking care of children. With a smile of gold and a heart that will melt your soul, Mary Mitchell Nation, Ms. Nation, Mother Nation, Mary Alice, Cousin Sunny, Aunt Mary, you will be truly missed.