Obituary of Mary Olivia Spriggs

Mary Olivia Smiley, at the age of 101, transitioned from her earthly existence into eternal life on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Cadia Healthcare Capitol in Dover, Delaware. She was born September 28, 1919 to Callie Mae and Ernest Porterville Smiley in Palmeto, Tennessee. Olivia, as she was called, grew up with six brothers and sisters. Edith Priscilla Smiley was the oldest, Mary Olivia second born, Ernest Smiley Jr., Joseph Edward Smiley, R J (Rufus Jackson) Smiley, Selah Lee Smiley, and Francis Evon Smiley was the youngest. All grew up in a very close, loving family environment. Olivia Smiley attended elementary school in Louisville, KY until her father died in 1930; her mother died in 1933. Olivia and her siblings then moved to Tennessee and lived with their grandparents. She completed 8th grade at the Rosenwald Farmington School with honors as Salutatorian of the class of 1934. Olivia made her way back to Louisville for a while and then ultimately moved to Baltimore, MD. There she worked for the Sindler family and was responsible for taking care of the children, as well as the home. She formed a loving and special bond with the family. It was in Baltimore, Maryland that she met the love of her life, James Spriggs at a night club. They married in 1953. James and Olivia were inseparable during their nearly 60 years of marriage. St. Mark Institutional Baptist Church became their church home. They both were faithful members throughout their tenure at the church and served on several committees and ministries. Olivia served notably on the Usher Board, but none made Olivia prouder than being named a Deaconess where she served in that capacity until her death. Although Olivia was a servant at heart, she loved the Dorsey Educational Fund of which she was an esteemed member until her passing. Not only was she a valued member, she was instrumental in many, many of their fundraising events, she even got her granddaughter to join the group. Olivia also passionately served as a "service volunteer" for over twenty years at the Crownsville Hospital Auxiliary in Baltimore where she was able to give back to her community. After her husband's retirement, James and Olivia moved to Dover, Delaware to live closer to his son, Ronald Spriggs, and his family. Her beloved James Spriggs passed away in May 2010. Mrs. Olivia Smiley Spriggs was known for her famous crab cakes. She also had "killer" baking skills and her delicious pound cakes were considered by all as "out of this world." Known for having a "green thumb," she cared for her beautiful plants and her plants loved her! Olivia enjoyed serving as the Smiley family "Matriarch" and maintained loving relationships with her family members located across the country, that love also included an extensive network of diverse friendships and relationships that she developed over 100 years of life. She will always be remembered and loved for her kindness, caring, and sweet disposition towards her family and friends. She leaves to cherish her wonderful legacy, her sister Francis Evon Smiley, two stepsons, Robert (Francis) Spriggs, Ronald (Andrea) Spriggs, four grandchildren, Towanda Spriggs, Karen (Gilbert) Brooks, Christopher (Tracy) Spriggs, Jerome (Lucinda) Foster, five great grandchildren, one great- great-grandchild, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a very dear friend that she absolutely adored, Benjamin (Charlita) Shamburger. She was preceded in death by husband James Spriggs, siblings: Edith, Ernest, Joseph, Rufus, and Selah Smiley, stepson, James "Bunky" Spriggs, two grandchildren Stephanie Foster and Ronald D. Spriggs, and one great grandson, Ronald C. Spriggs. On Friday, December 4, 2020, Services for, Mrs. Spriggs will be held 10:30 am at Vaughn C. Greene, 5151 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD with the family receiving friends from 10:00-10:30am. The interment will take place at Arbutus Memorial Park, Arbutus on Friday, December 4th following services.