Mary Frances (Smoak) Chase
Description
Mary Frances (Smoak) Chase, 52.
Born on May 23, 1920 to William and Essie Mae Smoak in Raines, GA. She marries JL Chase on December 23, 1939 in Lakeland, FL. They came to Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1970.
She was employed at the Vila Ranchereo branch of the First National Bank of the Black Hills. On the night of the flood, she and her husband were camping near Keystone with Charles and Cora Newsome, another couple who were stationed at Ellsworth. Cora and the Chases were swept away, but JL was able to grab a pole and hang on. Both Cora and Mary were lost in the flood.
She was survived by her husband, one daughter, and her mother.
Buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery.
Born on May 23, 1920 to William and Essie Mae Smoak in Raines, GA. She marries JL Chase on December 23, 1939 in Lakeland, FL. They came to Ellsworth Air Force Base in 1970.
She was employed at the Vila Ranchereo branch of the First National Bank of the Black Hills. On the night of the flood, she and her husband were camping near Keystone with Charles and Cora Newsome, another couple who were stationed at Ellsworth. Cora and the Chases were swept away, but JL was able to grab a pole and hang on. Both Cora and Mary were lost in the flood.
She was survived by her husband, one daughter, and her mother.
Buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Mary Frances (Smoak) Chase,” Flood of 1972, accessed October 7, 2026, https://1972flood.omeka.net/items/show/47.