Mary Smith Barringer, 81, of Chattanooga died in her home on January 10, 2018.  Mary was born on June 20, 1936 in Cleveland, TN to the late Calvin Hurst and Pearlie Mae Yates Smith.  She attended Charleston High School, graduated from Tyner High School, and attended Hiawassee College before marrying Eddie in 1955. Known for her beautiful soprano voice, Mary sang in choirs at St. Paul UMC, Christ UMC and First-Centenary UMC and served for several years as choir director at St. Paul UMC.  She enjoyed participating in choral groups in the Chattanooga area including The Dilettantes, Choral Arts Society, CSO Chorus, and Scenic City Chorale and performed in several musical productions at the Backstage Playhouse and Chattanooga Little Theater. 

After raising her family, Mary returned to school and proudly obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from UTC.  She worked for Sverdrup in Tullahoma and Mesa Associates in Chattanooga before enjoying retirement.  Mary was always a strong proponent for higher education, was grateful for the opportunities she had been given and was eager to pass those opportunities on to others. 

Mary is survived by her husband of 62 years Eddie Barringer; children, Carl (Missy) Barringer, Steve (Julie) Barringer, Rob (Diane) Barringer, Maria Barringer, and Gin (Dave) Staley; grandchildren Caitlin Barringer, Webb Barringer, Wynn (Kristine) Barringer, Emily (Seth) Cobb, Gretchen Hanna, Alison Hanna, and Gigi Barringer; great granddaughter Mallory Cobb; great grandsons by marriage, Gavin Roch and Gabriel Roch; sisters-in-law Alice Beck and Jessie Barringer; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Decyle Burns, and brothers, Calvin Smith and Stanley Smith.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17 in the Sanctuary at First-Centenary UMC with Dr. Doug Fairbanks, Dr. Linda McDaniel, and Dr. David Harr officiating.  Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Narthex before the service.  Interment will be private.

Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share words of comfort with the family and view the memorial tribute.

Memorial contributions may be made to First-Centenary UMC Music Ministry, 419 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37402 or Kindred Hospice Foundation, 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA  30339.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.

 Service Information