Mary Smithwick Harrison

Mary Smithwick Harrison passed on June 26, 2026 at 9:10 pm from this life surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy defined by hard work, selfless service, and an unwavering faith in God. The family welcomes all to a Celebration of Life Service, celebrating Mary’s life on Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home- Rosewood Chapel in Big Spring, TX. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.

Mary was born May 5, 1957, in Big Spring, Texas to Albert Smithwick Sr. and Gregoria Martinez. Married to Eddie Harrison for over 30 years, they built a family centered on love, faith, and community. Mary dedicated over 20 years of her life to Taco Villa, where she honed her craft and built the foundation for a dream she would one day make her own. That dream became reality when she opened Tex Mex Deli in Odessa, Texas — a beloved local restaurant she proudly operated for 12 years. The menu reflected Mary’s creativity and warmth, offering a unique blend of traditional Tex-Mex favorites alongside Indian cuisine. Her restaurant became a part of the community, regularly catering events for the neighboring patrons at Medical Center Hospital and serving as a gathering place where food brought people together.

In 2002, Mary and her family relocated to Cibolo, Texas, where she entered a new and equally meaningful chapter of her life — one devoted to the service of others. She volunteered for organizations close to her heart, including the Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, her local food bank, Hospice, Blue Star Moms, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Whether delivering meals to a homebound neighbor or supporting the families of those who served our country, Mary showed up with genuine love for the people she served.

A devoted Catholic, Mary was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Schertz, Texas, where her faith was both her anchor and her guide. She welcomed visitors of every faith into her home with open arms, embodying the belief that love has no boundaries. She found joy in life’s simplest moments — and had a remarkable gift for making everyone who crossed her path feel seen, valued, and loved. To know Mary was a privilege, and those fortunate enough to have called her a friend, a neighbor, or a mother carry a piece of her spirit with them always.

Alongside her volunteer work, Mary enjoyed cooking for her neighbors, spending time in her garden, and building community everywhere she went. She was known for her kind heart, generous spirit, and her remarkable gift for making everyone around her feel valued and loved.

Mary is survived by her husband, Eddie, her children Melissa, Vanessa, and Matthew, her stepdaughter Kim, seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and her siblings Albert Jr., Beatrice, Janie, Joe, and Dorothy. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Salome, Alejandra, Frances, and Nancy.

She will be deeply missed and forever treasured by those who knew her. As an expression of faith and in celebration of Mary’s life, those who wish to honor her memory may make a donation in lieu of flowers to Blue Star Mothers of America at www.bluestarmothers.org.

Blue Star Mothers of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting active duty military personnel and the families who love them, a cause Mary devoted years of volunteering to. May this gift serve as a lasting testament to Mary’s compassion, generosity, and her enduring faith in God’s love.