Dr. Mervyn W. Smith, M.D.

Dr. Mervyn Winston Smith, M.D., a pillar of his community and a devoted brother, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, reuniting with the Lord and his beloved wife, Ronette. Born on April 25, 1949, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to Doris and Leonard Smith, he was the youngest boy of 13 children. From humble beginnings, Dr. Smith rose to become a compassionate and highly respected physician, admired for his unwavering dedication, kindness, and selflessness. His legacy continues to inspire all who knew him, and he will always be remembered for the profound impact he made on the lives of others.

Dr. Smith immigrated to the United States as a young teenager, attending Cardozo High School in Washington D.C., where he was one of the brightest and most determined students, graduating at the top of his class. A talented athlete, he excelled in sports, showcasing the same determination and drive that defined his academic achievements. During his youth, the rapid decline of his mother’s health and her subsequent passing inspired his deep desire to heal others, prompting him to pursue medicine. He continued to excel academically, earning his B.S. degree from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1974, which led to a research position at the Children’s Hospital in Boston. In 1984, he earned his medical degree from Hahnemann University Medical School in Philadelphia and then began practicing medicine at the Memorial Hospital in Burlington County, NJ.

In 1989, Dr. Smith settled in Grand Rapids, MI, and worked alongside Dr. App. Dr. Smith later founded and served as the lead practitioner at Michigan Fuller Family Medicine, where he was a businessman and community leader for over a decade, caring for thousands of patients. Throughout his distinguished career, he also served as a trusted physician at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Butterworth Hospital, Blodgett Hospital, Cherry Street Health, and Job Corps. He also provided compassionate care to home-bound patients across Michigan through Visiting Physicians Alliance. He was a man of deep faith in God through Jesus Christ and went on global medical missions, providing medical care and healing to underserved patients in Nigeria, Ghana, and Haiti.

Beyond his medical career, Dr. Smith was known for his big heart, infectious laughter, and love of storytelling. His humor, warmth, and easy-going personality made him a loyal friend to many. He was a proud family man who cherished his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a loving husband through his two marriages, first to Terri Waits-Smith with whom he had two daughters, and later to Ronette Smith with whom he had four daughters and two sons.

Dr. Smith found great joy in spending time with his family, especially on trips to the Caribbean (Jamaica and the Bahamas), where he felt truly at home, embracing the culture, food, and island breeze. A laid-back outdoorsman, he was known to rescue turtles and other wildlife and enjoyed early morning fishing trips, swimming, gardening, and carpentry. He always looked forward to the Annual Smith Family Reunion, where he reunited with his loving siblings, enjoyed his favorite Trinidadian foods like curry, roti, and coconut bake, and danced to Soca music. He was famous for pulling his children onto the dance floor, whether they were ready or not.

Dr. Mervyn W. Smith, M.D., is survived by his eight children, Loreal, Kalia, Melissa, Jasmine, Danielle, Mariah, Nicholas, and Noah; his brothers, Errol and Albert; his sisters, Maureen, Yvette, Lynette, Marilyn, and Margaret; six grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service to celebrate the inspiring life of Dr. Smith will be held on Friday, March 14 at 12:00 PM at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, MI, with interment to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A repast will take place immediately afterward. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday from 6-8pm at the Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that charitable donations be made to the Class of 1974 Scholarship Fund at Bowdoin College, 4100 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011, or to Mervyn Smith’s surviving children, with donations directed to Mariah Smith in his memory. Family contributions will help honor his impact by supporting memorial expenses.

His legacy of service, mentorship, and commitment to the care of others will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. Dr. Smith will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched throughout his career and life.

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