Mary Wilkie Calderon

   Mary Frances Wilkie Smith Calderon was born on August 6, 1933, in Hall County to Ernest Wilkie and Martha Rich Wilkie. Around the age of six, she lost her father in an automobile accident. From that time through her teenage years, she lived with her mother, aunts, and grandparents. Many stories and facts revolving around her upbringing brought laughter (and sometimes disbelief) to her family, such as being in the last class to graduate when the school only had eleven grades.

   After graduation, she went to work in Hall County, where she met her future husband through his sister, Jessie. During her marriage to John Bussey Smith, Sr., she was a dedicated mother to their four children, an excellent cook, and a woman of strength and faith. Her potato salad, biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, banana pudding, and red velvet cake were just a few of her culinary accomplishments.

   After relocating to her husband's hometown of Lincolnton, she was employed by Oxford. Later, she worked for Ascot, where she was promoted to line supervisor and remained in that position until her retirement.

   After the death of her husband, she visited her mother, stepfather, and family in Gainesville, where she met her future husband, Eulalio Calderon. In 2009, she permanently relocated to Oakwood and settled near the place where she had spent her childhood.

   Mary Frances (Gram/Grandma/Aunt Frances) was known for her smile, hugs, kisses, sweet spirit, strength as a woman of purpose and faith, her loving kindness and forgiveness, and the aroma of Aromatics Elixir. She exuded warmth and consistently acted in selfless ways, always putting others before herself. Her role as the matriarch of the family was undeniable, just as her care for others was ever present. Her family knew her as a dedicated prayer warrior and staunch advocate. To know her was to love her.

   She was a member of Oakwood Baptist Church until its closure. While seeking a biblically grounded church home, she and her husband found Sinner Point Baptist Church, where they were active attendees.

   Mary Frances Wilkie Smith Calderon was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Wilkie; her mother, Martha Rich Wilkie Canup Meeks; her husband of 53 years, John Bussey Smith, Sr.; and her son, John Bussey Smith, Jr.

   She is survived by her husband, Eulalio Calderon; her daughters, Linda S. Bailey (Richard) of Waynesboro and Anne S. Saul of Augusta; and her son, Edward C. Smith of Social Circle. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Kelly Rhodes of Arizona and Sarah Smith of Indiana; her grandsons, Andrew Bailey of Gainesville and John 0. Warren (Sarah) of Harlem; and her great-grandchildren, Landen, Alyson, and Isaac Warren of Harlem, Naomi Smith, and Adeline Seaborn.

   Additional survivors include her sister, Nancy Canup Gravitt (Robert); her nephew, Rusty Gravitt (Crystal); and her nieces, Robie Collins (Jimmy), Rynna Kidd (Jason), and Richalle Gravitt. She was also blessed with an extended family that included the children and grandchildren of her husband, Eulalia: Manuel Calderon; Alex Garcia (Rebecca Morales); Natalia Garcia; Daniela Garcia of Oakwood; Alejandron Garcia (Monserrat); Carlos Garcia; Isabella Garcia of Flowery Branch; Juan Garcia (Maria Ruvalcaba); Adalyne Garcia; Abigail Garcia of Gainesville; Rocio Calderon (Gabriel Vasquez); Evelyn Vasquez; Gaby Vasquez of Kansas; and Roldolfo Calderon of Florida.

   In addition, she was graced with numerous cousins, additional nieces and nephews, and other beloved family members.

   A private family funeral service will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Lincolnton Baptist Church with Pastor Jeremy Scoggins officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Bailey, Andrew Bailey, Landen Warren, John O. Warren, Charles Boyd, Rusty Gravitt, Evan Gravitt, Alex Garcia, Manuel Garcia and Isaac Warren.  Interment will follow in the Lincolnton City Cemetery.

   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Sinner Point Baptist Church, attention: Pastor Jeremy Scoggins 4960 Flat Creek Rd., Oakwood, GA 30566

    You may sign the family's guestbook at: www.reesfuneralhome.net.

    Rees Funeral Home, 195 N Peachtree St., Lincolnton, GA 706-359-3222 would like to thank the family for your trust and confidence to serve you during this difficult time.