Each week, Smith County Insider shares a “Food for Thought” article by Smith County Extension Agent Mary Parker Draper, which includes information about a wide range of topics… plus a delicious recipe!
Mary Parker Draper is the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Agent in Smith County.
Mary and her husband, Justin, reside in Smith County. Mary’s parents are the late Trey and Pam Parker of Trousdale County. After the passing of Mary’s mother in 2003, she and her brother John moved to Smith County where her aunt and uncle, Jeanette and Edward Massey, raised them.
Mary is a 2011 graduate from Smith County High School. Mary continued her education at Tennessee Tech where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in 2015 and began her extension career shortly after. She recently graduated with her Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee Martin in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, arts and crafts, shopping, reading, and watching Netflix.
She has always had an interest in FCS, specifically in fashion. Mary’s mom, Pam, was a FCS teacher. Mary feels only natural to carry out her legacy as a FCS Extension Agent.
Some may not know that FCS covers a broad range of topic including home, health, food, family, and money. Mary serves on many boards in the community to encompass the different subject areas including Smith County Health Council, Smith County Fair Board, Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition, President of Smith County Extended Learning Advisory Committee, and Secretary of Keep Smith County Beautiful.
Mary could not have picked a more rewarding job. Her favorite part of her career is serving her community and helping others succeed in a given task.
Mary and the other folks in the Smith County Extension Office are still hard at work, even amidst the changes caused by COVID-19. All in-person group meetings have been suspended through the end of April, but the Extension Agents have been utilizing social media to continue to assist and educate the citizens of Smith County.
Check out Mary’s video on “Chair Yoga” that you can do at home!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEoXGAFR62Y&t=307s
We hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about Mary Parker Draper, and we hope you take advantage of all the amazing resources available through the Smith County Extension Office!
You can learn more about UT Extension Smith County by visiting smith.tennessee.edu, visiting the UT Extension Smith County Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, or giving the office a call at 615-735-2900.
Stay tuned for a spotlight on Smith County Extension Agent Katie Martin! You can read Smith County Insider’s spotlight on Chris Hicks here.
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