Mary Jo Fike was born on November 26, 1945 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd Alvin and Thelma June (Homan) Fike, Sr.  Mary Jo entered into eternal rest on July 7, 2022 at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah.

Mary Jo and her family moved to Omaha, NE when she was 5 years old.  At the age of 16 years, the family moved to Essex.  On March 18, 1963 she was united in marriage to Verlin Eugene Smith, Sr. in Maryville, MO.  The couple made their home in Shenandoah before moving to Essex and finally to Farragut, where the couple currently resides.  Verlin and Mary Jo were blessed with 2 children; Vicki Lee and Verlin Eugene.

Mary Jo worked at several of the local nurseries in Shenandoah, including Mount Arbor, Earl May and Henry Fields.  She also enjoyed working in the laundry department at the Tall Corn Motel.  She kept her work area in tip-top shape.  Prior to her retirement she also worked for Dollar General.

Some of her hobbies included watching John Wayne movies, bowling, watching QVC, camping, playing cards (and cheating), playing Nintendo 64 and watching the Chicago Bulls play basketball on television.  She was famous for her holiday noodles, pumpkin pie and German chocolate cake.  Her favorite color was red.  She was a very protective grandma and loved her grandkids with her whole heart.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; son Verlin Eugene Smith, Jr. and sisters Patricia Carlson, Pranda Hale and Lee Ellen Allumbaugh.  Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband Verlin; daughter Vicki Graham; grandchildren Carrie Sickler (Brent Young) and Jade Smith (Glory); great-grandchildren Damian (Heather) Davis, Gavin Sickler (Marley) and Trevon (Jenna) Sickler; great-great grandchild Quinn Davis; brother Floyd (Sandra) Fike, Jr. brother-in-law Marlin (Velma) Smith; sister-in-law Barb (Ron) Sump; other family and friends.