Mary Elizabeth (Runyon) Rafferty

Mary Elizabeth Rafferty, 72, of Butlerville, passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus.

Born December 12, 1952, in Glasgow, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Fannie (Neal) Runyon. She married Charles Smith, Sr. on April 12, 1969, he preceded her in death in 1980. She then married George Rafferty, on June 16, 1996, in Columbus. He preceded her in death in 2022.

Mary attended Hiseville High School in Glasgow, Kentucky, and worked in shipping and receiving for Hills Department Store in Columbus. She also worked for Kentucky Connectors, was a homemaker, and enjoyed stripping tobacco. Mary enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, word searches, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. She loved to visit St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.

Survivors include son, David Lee (Devonna) Smith of Glasgow, Kentucky; daughters, Elizabeth Carol (Brian) DeBord of Freetown and Mary Ellen Hounshell of Glasgow, Kentucky; brothers, Kenneth (Janice) Runyon of Danville, Kentucky, Ruben (Shirley) Runyon and Haskell (Susie) Runyon, both of Glasgow, Kentucky, and Timothy Runyon of Georgia; sister Gaye (Thomas) Wampler of Glasgow, Kentucky; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both spouses; parents; son, Charles Smith, Jr.; grandson, Christopher Smith; brothers, Bobby, Elmer, and Daniel Runyon; and sister, Diana Runyon.

A funeral service for Mary will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon with Larry Duncan officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorial donations may be made in honor of Mary through the funeral home to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

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