Mary Dee is a native of Raleigh where she returned after schooling, career and marriage took her to various places. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 1993 where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, followed by a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from UNC-Chapel Hill. She married fellow Demon Deacon, Mike Smith ‘89. Mary Dee and Mike have three children and a son-in-law; two graduated from WFU in 2021, one graduated from UVA in 2023, and their son will graduate from Auburn in 2026. Each college experience has highlighted the need and blessing of Christian fellowship as well as Christian mentoring, education and a Christian worldview in real-life experiences.

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Mary Dee is a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church where she has enjoyed being a leader of Alpha, a mentor for New City Fellows, as well as a leader for a young women’s weekly Bible study and accountability group. Opening her home and studying God’s word has become a joy for Mary Dee over the years. Over the last six years, Mary Dee has served as a board member, vice chair and chair of Journeymates, a Christian soul care and spiritual formation ministry. Mary Dee recently co-chaired a successful campaign for the Raleigh Rescue Mission to build a new women and children’s facility to help break the cycle of situational homelessness. She enjoys serving as a volunteer in their child development center where she can share the love of the Lord and her speech and language knowledge.

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In her spare time, Mary Dee enjoys playing tennis, walks with her beloved lab, learning to play golf, and hosting friends and family at home and at the beach.