Shirley Maxine Smith

Shirley M. Smith, 87, of St. Joseph passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016 in Kalamazoo, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, May 27, 2016 at 11 AM at Oakridge Baptist Church, 766 Oakridge Dr., St. Joseph with Pastor Scott Reeve officiating. Burial will follow at 2 PM at Riverview Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Memorial contributions may be made to Oakridge Baptist Church.  Those wishing to leave an online condolence for Shirley may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Shirley was born on October 6, 1928 in Benton Harbor and adopted in 1941 by her aunt Marie Holman Stewart. On October 26, 1946, Shirley married the love of her life, John “Bill” Smith; he preceded her in death on April 3, 1996.  Shirley was a beloved member of Oakridge Baptist Church and rejoiced in sharing her talents and time with her church family.  She had a passion for working with children.  For 18 years, she was a paraprofessional teacher at Washington & Brown Elementary Schools enjoying the time she spent educating and mentoring her students.  She was also a scout leader for the Cub Scouts & Girl Scouts and taught Sunday School.  Shirley was also a tutor with the Twin City Literary Council and volunteered at Lakeland Hospital. Shirley is survived by her children, Kathryn (Larry) Peterson of Portage, Laura Wright of Kalamazoo, and Lynn (Steve) Taylor of Kalamazoo; daughter-in-law, Nicole Smith of Benton Harbor; grandchildren, Jason, Michael (Kimberly), Joshua (Katie), Amber (Michael), MacKenzie, Cara, Jessica, and Melissa; great-grandchildren, Dakota, Cole, Gage, Josiah, Langlei, Emelia, Carter and Reagan; brother-in-law, James Ashmead; sister-in-law, Jane Sefton; and siblings, Robert Foley, Delida Agnew and Mary Grubbs. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother Betty Krawczewicz, her father Vence Foley, her adoptive mother Marie Stewart, her husband John “Bill” Smith and her son, Stephen Smith.