Obituary of Mary Louise Baker-Smith

Baker-Smith, Mary Louise of Sun City Center, FL was married to Kenneth E. Smith, of Lebanon, Indiana.  She was born in Peoria, Illinois, on August 14, 1942, to William E. and Annabel Shively.  She graduated from Peoria High School in 1960, with distinction.  She attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Secondary Education, French and History with honors.  She taught public school in Peoria and Champaign, Illinois for five years.  She moved to Muncie, Indiana in 1969.  She was a graduate assistant in the Ball State University History Department in 1969-1970 and received her Master’s Degree in History and Political Science.  She taught Political Science for three years at Ball State University before attending Indiana University School of Law.  She graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1976 with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree, Cum Laude.  She was appointed the first female deputy prosecutor in Delaware County by James J. Jordan.  She was the assistant city attorney for Community Development for 2 years.  She opened her own private law practice in 1976 in Muncie, Indiana.  She later practiced with Robert Koor and Ronald Smith.  She taught Criminal Law at Ball State University for several years as a part time instructor.  She was a member of the Muncie Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association and the Muncie Women’s Attorney Association, which she founded.  She retired from the practice of law in 2002 and moved to Sun City Center, Florida with her husband.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father as well as her brother, James W. Shively, wife Patty of Carlsbad, California and a nephew.  She was survived by her husband, Kenneth E. Smith, two daughters, Angelita G. Boyd, husband Kolby, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Rianna D. Medlin, of Brandon, Florida.  One son, Marc Baume of Paris, France.  She is also survived by her sister, Janice Bassett, husband, Gordon, of Sun City Center, Florida, one niece, three nephews, 5 granddaughters, Aerabella, Eyssabella, Presley, Annabel and Anais and two grandsons, Jacob and Bear.