Marilyn G. Smith

Marilyn G. Smith (8-14-29 to 1-10-23) was born in Shelby, MI to Loyal and Gerry Churchill. Marilyn graduated valedictorian from Hart High School and lived in Oceana County for many years. She next attended U of M. She married Lawrence E. Smith in 1950.  Together they had 6 children and in 1963 moved to Kalamazoo.  Marilyn then graduated from WMU in 1968 and taught 5th grade at Milwood and Lincoln in Kalamazoo and Angling Road in Portage.

Marilyn was a faithful and longtime member of Portage United Church of Christ where she worshipped her friend Jesus. She was a founding member of the PUCC Chapter of the Foods Resource Bank which became the largest such chapter in the US.

In 1975, Marilyn became a founding member of the Michigan Gamma Zeta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa international sorority for women educators where she held many leadership roles and was still active.

Marilyn loved teaching, camping, traveling with her husband Larry, bird watching, and all things grand and great-grandchildren. She loved the color blue so much she was fondly known as Bluegma.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years Larry Smith, her parents, and her brother “Chuck” Churchill. She is survived by her six children: Richard (Elaine) Smith, Robert (Marlene) Smith, Daniel (Laura) Smith, Mark (Cindy) Smith, Sandra Walters, Deborah (Jay) Ostrander, 9 very special grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren plus one on the way.

Services will be held at Portage United Church of Christ, 2731 W. Milham, Portage, MI 49024 on Sunday January 15 at 3:00pm.  Visitation with will be from 2:00 to 3:00p.m prior to the service.   A time of fellowship and refreshments at the church will follow the service. Please consider wearing blue to honor Marilyn.  A private interment will follow at a later date in Portage South Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Portage United Church of Christ, the Gamma Zeta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, or Growing Hope Globally (formerly FRB). To view Marilyn’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com