Birth: 17 August 1853
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States

Death: 14 May 1930
Oak City, Millard, Utah, United States

Gravesite: Oak City Cemetery, Oak City, UT

Brief Life Sketch

Mary is Willis’ mother.

As a young girl she attended school in Salt Lake City, living with George Albert Smith and his wife Bathsheba. She had to work around the house and would pin her spelling words on the wall while she did the dishes.

She was very literary and dramatic and was known for her readings and skits.

Willis, her son, says,”Many a time I helped Mother make ice cream and stayed with her while it was being served when dances were going on in the main hall. They used to sell this ice cream for five cents for a mush bowl full, and soda crackers to go along with it.”

Willis also says that his mother was a very charming woman and was highly respected and esteemed among her friends and acquaintances.

Famous sayings:

• “Boys, remember the story of ‘Old Dog Tray’. Old Dog Tray was a good dog, but he got to running around with a pack of renegades and got shot.”

• “If you will be successful, don’t go around with things sticking in your craw, learn to swallow.”

• “Time and tide wait for no man.”