Mary Jo Smith, 63, Sarasota and formerly of Venice, died Dec. 29, 2003. She was born March 7, 1940, in Hendersonville, N.C., and came to Venice in 1999 from there, moving to Sarasota in 2001. She was owner of a traffic control and maintenance company, and was chairman for the National Republican Party in Broward County. She was a Baptist. Survivors include sisters Anne Nix and Sue Pearson of East Flat Rock, N.C. A private memorial service will be held later. National Cremation Society, Sarasota chapter, is in charge. Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 710 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032.