Louise Roe Smethurst

Louise Roe Smethurst, 92, died at the home of her daughter, Sarah B. Sadler, in Oxford, MD, in the early evening of March 20, 2001. The former Washington, DC, resident moved to the Easton, MD, area in 1992. She was born in Spring Hill, AL, the daughter of the late James Knox Roe and Jessie May Blair. Her husband, Raymond S. Smethurst, died in April 1974. She attended the Barton Academy in Mobile, AL, but, after moving with her family to Washington, DC, graduated from Central High School there in June, 1928. Graduating first in her class, she received her L.L.B. degree from National (now George Washington) University Law School in March, 1934. A woman with firm Christian beliefs and a long-time member of Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Church in Washington, she had a broad range of professional and civic interests and was known for her indomitable "let''s get it done" spirit. Although she curtailed her nascent legal career upon the birth of the first of her four children, Mrs. Smethurst became and remained very active in volunteer work. She served the Florence Crittendon Home, served as Secretary and legal counsel for the Washington Aid Association for the Blind and, prior to moving to Easton, she also served as a volunteer at Iona House. During World War II, she served as a volunteer in the American Red Cross. In the early 1960's with her youngest child in school, Mrs. Smethurst resumed her law practice, primarily handling domestic relations and zoning matters. Mrs. Smethurst also enjoyed traveling and gardening at the family''s summer home near Rehoboth Beach, DE. She is survived by her four children, Raymond S. Smethurst, Jr. of Salisbury, MD, Sara B. Sadler of Oxford, MD, Robert G. Smethurst of Woodberry Forest, VA, and Susan O. Smethurst of Hamilton, Ontario; ten grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Helen Roe, of Easton, MD. Her other sister, the late Bernie B. Roe, died in February, 1997. Funeral services will be held at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 200 S. Harrison Street in Easton on Saturday, March 24th, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. W. Daniel Rich, the pastor of the Bethesda United Methodist Church in Salisbury, a former Washington, DC, neighbor, officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. A private interment in the family plot will follow at the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church near Rehoboth Beach, DE. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Evergreen Cove Holistic Learning Center, Inc., P. O. Box 744, Easton, MD 21601.