WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Denise Loretta Smith, 47, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 13, 2010, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
She was born May 15, 1962 in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Russell and Betty (Johnson) Rice.
Denise’s early life to the age of 5 was lived in Sturgis. At that time the family moved to Arizona, where she resided until 1976, when she returned to Sturgis.
On April 12, 1980, she married Tommy Smith in Sturgis.
Most of her working life was in the recreational vehicle industry and she was a homemaker.
She had a real love for the state of Arizona and San Diego, California. Denise enjoyed reading, collecting bears, eating chocolate and drinking milk.
She is survived by her loving husband, Tommy; a daughter, Felicia (Shawn) Ross of Middlebury, Ind.; a son, Tommy (Malandra) Smith Jr. of Sturgis; two grandchildren, Austin and Makenzie; two sisters, Debbie Shadix of Sturgis and Darlene (Ron) Danberry of Colon; a brother, Dwight (JoAnn) Rice of Sturgis; special friends Joe and Marcy Biron of Mendon; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at New Beginnings Church, 63022 M-66, Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Denise Smith will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The Rev. Randy Evans will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Pretty Prairie Cemetery in Howe, Ind.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes Rosenberg Chapel of Sturgis is handling the arrangements.
Memorial donations to help the family with expenses would be appreciated, c/o: Hackman Family Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 9, Sturgis, MI 49091.
