Mary Gertrude (Smothers) Hanna

January 20, 1931- March 29, 2024

Beloved mother, Mary Gertrude (Smothers) Hanna, was the daughter of the late Blanche Marie (Holton/Smothers) Lancaster and the late John Wade Smothers. On January 20, 1931, she was born in Rock Point, Maryland. After 93 years of life on earth, the Lord called Mary home to eternal rest on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Charles Regional-University of Maryland Medical Center in LaPlata, Maryland with her devoted daughter, Judy, at her side.

Mary was born, raised, and resided in Charles County, Maryland, much of her life. She also resided in the states of Virginia and South Carolina. In April of 1931, Mary was baptized as a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Newburg, Maryland. Mary received her education at Bel Alton High School, a segregated high school in Charles County, Maryland. Mary was a homemaker for much of her life. She was the proud mother of two boys and one girl: William, Jr., Judy, and James. Once her children became teenagers, she worked as a school bus driver for the Charles County Board of Education and as a gunmaker for Beretta USA Corporation, Accokeek, Maryland. In addition, Mary was also well-known as one of Charles County, Maryland's top crab picker. Practically every weekend, local seafood establishments would request and rely on her and her skilled techniques for picking crab meat, making crab cakes, crab balls, and deviled crab cakes.

Mary was a loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her. Left to cherish warm memories of Mary are her children, William L. Gross, Jr., Judy A. Dove, and James D. Gross; son-in-law, Frank S. Dove, Jr., grandchildren, Trinity Gross, and Ta'Neese Gross, one sister, Helena Gooseberry; godson, John C. Hicks, Sr., and a host of other family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her four brothers: Randolph Brawner, Bernard Smothers, Joseph Smothers, and John Wade Smothers; four sisters: Clarice Smothers, Florence Templeman, Helen Coombs, and Dorothy King, and the father of her three children, William L. Gross, Sr.

Mary lived 93 years on this earth and will always remain in the hearts of those she loved and those who loved her.

Mary Hanna will be celebrated on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 15848 Rock Point Road, Newburg, Maryland. Viewing will be from 9:30 am to 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am and Internment immediately following at the church's cemetery.