Rossetta Lawrence Smith, 93 of Callaway, MD, went home to be with the Lord on July 23, 2026. She was born May 26, 1933, in Clinton, MD, to John Paul and Nellie Stewart Lawrence. She was educated in the Prince George’s and St. Mary’s County public school systems. Rossetta married Clarence Carroll Smith (deceased) on October 15, 1950, and together they raised seven children, Thomas, Thomasine (deceased), Patricia, Clara, John, Timothy and Phyllis. Rossetta had many jobs during her lifetime, but the most important of these other than raising her children, was the partnership with her late husband in the Smith & Son’s Lawnmower Repair Shop, a self-owned business opened by them in 1964. She was a long-time member of Bethesda United Methodist Church and more recently a watch care member of St. Mark UAME Church. She loved caring for seniors, cooking, gardening, gospel music and spending time with family and friends. Rossetta was preceded in death by her parents (John and Nellie Lawrence), her loving husband (Clarence Smith), six sisters (Mary Lawrence, Mae Johnson, Adele Harris, Inez Ivey, Henrietta Ball and Myrtle Johnson), three brothers (Thomas, Israel and Alexander Lawrence), daughter (Thomasine Thompson), Granddaughter (Kimberly Smith), Grandson (John Smith, Jr.), Great Granddaughter (Lakia Owens) and Great Grandson (Zane Smith). She leaves to cherish her memory, six children – Thomas Saxon (Ruby), Patricia Gray, Clara Brooks (Paul), John Smith (Dianne), Timothy Smith and Phyllis Smith. Son-in-Law Bernard Thompson, Godson, Alexander Statesman, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, adopted sons Gary Lash and Dustin Parker, a host of nieces and nephews, a very special friend Johnie Brown, family friends Susan Hall, Larry Trossbach, Robert Parker, Mae Gross and many others too numerous to mention.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Prayers recited at 7:00 PM in Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with a visitation at 9:00 AM and service starting at 10:00 AM with Rev. Pete House, Jr. in the St. Mark UAME church, 45685 Happyland Rd. Valley Lee, MD 20692. Interment to follow in Bethesda UM Church Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD.
Repast will take place at St. Mark UAME Fellowship Hall Following all services.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.