Geneva M. Smith

“Ginny” (8/24/1929) age 90, has now been welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   Ginny was born in LaFollette, Tennessee and was the youngest of 9 children.  She grew up in the mountains of northern Tennessee.  She met Harry Smith, the love of her life, in LaFollette when she was 16. After Harry’s service in the Navy, they married in 1948 and moved to Pontiac, Michigan where they lived most of their marriage life.  She was preceded in her death by her husband of 52 years, Harry P. Smith, her son Harry P Smith, Jr., her parents and her 8 siblings.  Ginny is survived by her daughter Scherlyn VanHaitsma (Allen), daughter Gwendolyn Skinner, grandchildren Benjamin Millermon, Jennifer Van Eck (Todd), Holly Jones (Jason) and Emily Clark (Justin) and 7 great-grandchildren.  

Harry was a master electrician in the Detroit area, while Ginny worked for Control Data in Rochester after their children were grown. After retirement, the couple moved back to LaFollette, where they both enjoyed gardening, activities with their church, spending time with extended family and a quieter life.  

Ginny remained faithful to Harry until his sudden passing in 2001.  She then moved back to Michigan to be by her daughters and their families.  Some of the highlights of Ginny’s life were working with the prison ministry at Calvary Church, southern cooking, gardening, reading, large family dinners, and multiple family trips to Florida and Israel.  Ginny loved to sing all the old hymns and reminisce about her childhood, especially her mother. Her family surrounded her with constant love, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending Church, Bible Study and Sunday School with her wonderful friends at Calvary Church.

If ever asked how she was doing, Ginny would always laugh and reply “fat & sassy” or “blessed”.  Ginny spent her final days at Boulder Creek Assisted Living.  She was known for her sweet and cheerful attitude, her silly faces and sassiness, and the queen of balloon volleyball….she loved all her friends and caretakers at Boulder Creek.  She understood life’s blessings and never took them for granted. She loved life!  She was a sweet, southern lady who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Ginny’s family plans to have a celebration of her life at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Ginny may participate in making a donation to Our Soul Purpose, LLC, a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping and supporting mission works in Africa.  Donations should be made out to:

Our Soul Purpose

℅ Eric Cerling

4857 Meadow Springs Trail SE

Ada, Michigan  49301

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