By Hannah Barber
Michael R. Smith, the founder of M.R. Smith Parlor for Funerals, has dedicated over four decades to serving our community with unwavering compassion and expertise.
The seeds of Michael’s dedication to funeral service were sewn at the tender age of eight, when he experienced the loss of his beloved grandmother. From that moment, he knew his purpose was to honor the lives of others. After graduating high school and serving his country in the United States Army, he embarked on his journey into the world of funeral service in Houston, Texas. After a successful apprenticeship following his graduation from the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services in 1975, he earned his Funeral Director and Embalmer’s License in 1977. Building a strong network of colleagues in the Houston area, he honed his skills at Jackson Funeral Home and met his wife, Cynthia.
Michael and Cynthia sought a more family-centered environment to raise their children with the arrival of their first daughter in 1978. They discovered the welcoming community of Corsicana, Texas, guided by a trusted business associate. After careful planning and much prayerful consideration, they established M.R. Smith Parlor for Funerals in 1989.
Michael’s unwavering commitment to serving families with compassion, respect, and grace stems from his deep-seated belief that love transcends the boundaries of loss. They are the proud parents of three children, Karr, Shaneen, and Justin, and are blessed with nine grandchildren, who bring immeasurable joy to their lives.
This legacy of service and dedication transitioned to the next generation on March 27, 2021, when Karr assumed ownership of the parlor.
Karr, a 2002 graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree, brings a diverse background to her leadership role, including experience as a licensed Life Insurance Agent and Certified Event Planner. Committed to upholding the high standards established by her father, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing her Funeral Director’s License at the Dallas Funeral Institute.
