Mara Smith

Published 10:38 pm Thursday, February 6, 2014

Mara Smith was born Mary Helen Koenig on April 10, 1948, in Ranger, Texas. Her father was Albert George Koenig; her mother was Claudia Compton Koenig. In the family, Mara joined three older brothers: Claude, George and Robert.

In 1957, the Koenigs moved to the Chicago suburbs. Mara excelled in schools there, graduating early from Forest View High School. Following family tradition, Mara attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. She majored in English.

In 1968, Mara met and married Wyatt Shuford “Ford” Smith, an officer stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. The following year, their daughter, Cassandra, was born.

When Ford left the Air Force to attend graduate school at Wake Forest University, Mara worked for Wachovia Bank in Winston-Salem, NC. She was promoted into the bank’s management training program, becoming one of the bank’s first personal bankers in Charlotte, N.C.

In 1976, Mara left banking to establish the first gourmet specialty shop in Charlotte, The Coffee Grinder. Mara roasted Arabica coffees, blended teas and spices, and sold culinary accessories. Her shop was one of the first in the city’s Overstreet Mall.

After selling her shop, she assisted Ford with the founding of one of the first personal computer training centers Compute!

Ford trained people how to use Apple and IBM computers. Meanwhile, Mara helped other small businesses with marketing and interior design. She also did a lot of freelance writing.

As their daughter graduated from high school and entered college as a NC Teaching Fellow, the couple retired.

For approximately 10 years, they traveled full-time across the North American continent in their cargo van with their tent, computer, cameras and bicycles.

During this time, the Smiths were contacted about writing their first books for Globe Pequot Press, “Camp the U.S. for $5 or Less” West Edition and East-Midwest Edition.

In 1996, the Smiths chose Tryon as a base for their writing and photography projects.

While in Tryon, the Smiths performed a lot of volunteer work. They co-directed the Foothills Craft Fair (for the barbecue festival) and the Festival of Crafts (for The Upstairs Gallery). Also, Mara served on other boards and committees such as the Lanier Library, Tryon Downtown Development Association and Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Books published during this time include The Retirement Sourcebook and 101 Secrets for a Great Retirement distributed by McGraw-Hill. For Peel Publications, their children’s riddle book on American history, ABC All-American Riddles won a national “Children’s Choice” award.

Photography projects included “3 Women/3 Cameras,” a yearlong record of Polk County and its surrounds. From this work, Mara and Ford produced a coffee-table book, Focus on the Foothills.

In 2010, The Smiths published their first novel, “Endangered.” It garnered five-star reviews. Too, for five years, the couple compiled “Winning Wines,” a list of award-winning wines for $15 or less.

Mara is mourned by her husband of 45 years, Ford Smith; as well as their daughter, Cassandra Kennedy; son-in-law Patrick Kennedy; grandson, Ryan; and granddaughter, Brennan. In addition, there are two brothers, several sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, and lots of good friends.

Mara requested that any memorials be made to the Pacolet Area Conservancy or the Children’s Theater Festival (Super Saturday).

A celebration of Mara’s life will occur at a later time.