Mary Jo Buckner Smith of Weaverville, age 83, entered into her heavenly home peacefully on March 16, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born September 3, 1940 to the late Ralph Noah Buckner and Elizabeth Justice Buckner, to whom she was the eldest child. In addition to her parents, Mary Jo is preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Noah Jr., and two sisters, Wanda Arrington and Linda Reavis. As well as her beloved son-in-law, Randy Ray.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 57 years, Howell Smith, daughter Lisa Smith Ray, grand-daughters, Paige Ray (Bill Barrett), Peyton Ray Lynch (Chae Lynch), one great-grandson, Emerson Barrett, and sister Carolyn Evans (Delane Evans). Mary Jo's memory will also be cherished by brothers-in-law, Earl Arrington, Weldon Reavis, sister-in-law Ruby Jo Buckner Robinson, and wonderful nieces and one nephew, many great nieces and nephews, and close friends. Mary Jo loved being "Granny." Not only was she Granny to her granddaughters, she was Granny to everyone that she could love on.

Mary Jo is a lifelong resident of Buncombe County and graduated from North Buncombe High School in 1958. She would later return as a lunchroom lady and retired from NBHS cafeteria in 2002. Mary Jo was a member of Locust Grove Baptist Church where she served the Lord faithfully. She loved to lend a helping hand to members of her community through food and acts of service. If anyone needed a little help during a hard time, be it sickness, death in the family, or just in need, she was there with a smile and a homemade meal.

Mary Jo could be described as spunky, energetic, and always ready to go, whether it was shopping at the mall or riding with her daughter down the road and back, she liked to "keep the roads hot." When you went anywhere with Mary Jo, you were the one who was having to keep up with her. Along with shopping, Mary Jo enjoyed Dollywood, relaxing at Panama City Beach, and gardening and canning with her husband, sisters, and brothers-in-law. She also never knew a stranger. Mary Jo was eager to meet new people and more often than not, she would be able to connect someone she just met to someone else she already knew.

Mary Jo will be deeply missed by her family, friends, church, and community members, and no one will be able to fill the void of her absence. But those she left on this earth know we will see her again, laughing, praising the Lord, and keeping the roads of Heaven "hot."

Receiving of friends will be held at Locust Grove Baptist Church, Wednesday, March 20th from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held at Locust Grove Baptist Church Thursday, March 21st at 3 pm with Pastor Brent Snyder, Reverend Walter Ponder, and Reverend Ronald Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with Rev. Harry Culbertson conducting graveside rites. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Jo's memory to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriner's Children's Hospital, Attn: Shriner's Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Marsha Lundsford, her hospice homecare nurse.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org