Mary Ellen O’Connell Smethells
KNOXVILLE - Mary Ellen Smethells passed away at her home in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 1, 2024, after a short period of declining health. She was 82 years old. Born at home in August, 1941 on the family farm near McGregor, Michigan, Mary Ellen’s childhood included riding her horse, Bessie, and playing with her many dear cousins. Mary Ellen was the third child of Cecil O’Connell and Edna Davidson O’Connell. She was preceded in death by older brother Dwight O’Connell and infant brother John Jacob O’Connell. Her parents valued education and made possible opportunities such as a 1956 cross-country trip where she saw the ocean for the first time, and a student visit to Washington DC by train. Mary Ellen attended Doan School (one room) and Carsonville School, graduating from Deckerville High School in 1959 as valedictorian. She earned an English degree at Albion College (1963), and a Masters of Library Science at the University of Michigan (1965). Her “summer internships” were helping her father to put up the hay. She married Charles R. “Chuck” Smethells, MD in
June, 1965. Chuck died in 1980, and Mary Ellen worked professionally in the libraries of Fraser Public Schools, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic School, and Cranbrook Kingswood School. As a volunteer, she served the Troy Friends of the Library, the Knox Country Friends of the Library, and the libraries of all six schools her children and grandchildren attended. She was a member of McGregor and Fellowship Methodist churches in Michigan, joining Church Street United Methodist Church when she moved to Knoxville in 2006.
Besides her family and volunteering, Mary Ellen’s great joy was spending time at the Lake Huron cottage that her father built in the 1950s—where the lake is cold, the corn is sweet, and the sun comes up on the water every day. Mary Ellen is deeply missed by her daughters Jane Gulley (Gerald) and Jill Frederickson (Eric), as well as her grandchildren Blythe Gulley (fiancé Andrew Chen), and John “Jack” Gulley. The family is grateful for her medical team—especially Dr. Carabeth Russell; her church family--especially the Epworth Sunday School class who got her on Zoom; her kind neighbors at Hamilton House Condominiums; and her new friend and caregiver Dorren, who facilitated her doing what she loved best.
Mary Ellen’s service of Death and Resurrection will take place at Church Street United Methodist Church at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 21st, with receiving of friends following in the Parish Hall. Per Mary Ellen’s wishes, a service of committal will be held at Forester Cemetery in Michigan at a later time, when we will inter her earthly remains beside those of her husband. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Church Street United Methodist Church https://churchstreetumc.org/ or the Knox County Friends of the Library https://www.knoxfriends.org/make-a-gift/ Or, read a book to a child of any age! Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann is honored to be serving the family during this time. Online condolences may be made at www. rosefuneraltn.com