(Mary) Lois Smith

(Mary) Lois Smith passed peacefully on January 17, 2024 with family by her side at the age of 96. She was born in Bay City, Michigan on February 26, 1927 to Harvey Latham and Vera Grace (Ballard) Fox. Lois graduated from Bay City Central High School and attended Bay City Junior College (now Delta College) before entering the nursing program at Saginaw General School of Nursing obtaining her RN degree. She met the love of her life Robert Erickson Smith on a blind date New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1947; and they married the following New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1948. Lois and Bob raised six children. She also provided design elements for her husband’s home building business. While raising their family and keeping a busy home, Lois returned to nursing first at Saginaw General for a period in 1969; and then at St. Mary Hospital of Saginaw for a number of years in the 1980s; retiring from there. Lois loved her Savior Jesus Christ and served him her entire adult life by teaching Sunday School and singing in the church choir for 50+ years at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, as well as leading Bible Studies out of her home. She facilitated a Church Service first at Community Hospital which changed to Health Source of Saginaw Michigan for 50+ years securing local pastors to volunteer to preach at weekly services for the residents. Lois also was a volunteer in the Saginaw R.E.A.D. program mentoring students teaching them to love reading books. Lois and Bob had six children: Robert H. (Nean) Smith, Laura G. (Doug) Doughty, Eric F. (Laure) Smith, Rebecca S. (Valdis) Geidans, James P. (Sue) Smith, John C. (Mary Jo) Smith. Grandchildren: Chris (Kathy) Smith, Sarah (Joe) LoBaido, Aaron (Mary) Doughty, Luke (Samantha Strahl) Smith, Sean Doughty, Jenna (Craig) Girardin, Logan (Mary) Smith, Billy Smith, Shea Smith, Nathan Smith, Izaak Smith. Great-Grandchildren: Gabe Smith, Samantha Smith, Audrey Wilson, Andrew LoBaido, Eli LoBaido, Finn Girardin, and Sloane Smith; with two more arriving this Spring. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Edna Boyle and Ila Hiler, as well as her husband Bob and daughter Laura Doughty. Celebration of Life Service will be held at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, 203 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. Visitation will be Friday, January 26, from 5:00-8:00pm. There will also be visitation on Saturday, January 27 from 9:00-11:00am prior to the Celebration of Life Service at 11:00am. Following the Service there will be a luncheon served in the church’s social hall. In accordance with family wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy may give a memorial contribution to Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Memories and sympathies of Lois may be shared with the family on her memorial website at WakemanFuneralHome.com There will also be an opportunity to write a memory at the luncheon following the service to be collected into a journal.

Tributes

(Mary) Lois Smith

February 26, 1927 - January 17, 2024