Mother Juanita "Big Ma" Smith

Mother Juanita “Big Ma” Smith, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister checked in with the Lord Jesus on Friday, December 9, 2016 to receive her crown of glory for a job well done at the age of 92 years. She was born January 27, 1924 in McCrory, Arkansas, the daughter of the late James and Lucille Ward. James ward moved his family west to a resort community called Hot Springs, AR, where Juanita attended Langston High School and Eureka Baptist Church before migrating north to Saginaw, MI. She later joined Williams Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Pastor H.J. Williams where she served on the Usher Board and later became Captain of the Ushers. Mother Smith was a retiree of GM-Grey Iron Foundry and upon her retirement she couldn’t sit still, so she went back into the work force as a housekeeper for the Saginaw YMCA. “Big Ma”, as she was affectionately known by all, enjoyed cooking (especially fried chicken, which she could eat seven days a week). Her family called her “Juanita the chicken eater”. She also loved working in her garden, doting on her grands and great-grands, going to church and the yearly Memphis, TN meetings. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Gloria (Oliver) Thompson, Earlene Barnes, Richard (Sharon) Smith and Ray Carl Smith, all of Saginaw, MI; step-daughter, Rosie Lee Johnson, Saginaw, MI; brother, Vesta Lee (Barbara) Ward, Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law, Eula Ward, Trenton, NJ; grandchildren, Donna Pressley, Deidra Thompson, Anthony (Ellen) Thompson, Orlando Granison, Darryl Thompson, Darrick (Brenda) Granison, Angela (James) Dorsey, Melvin Barnes, Sherry (Kenny) McFadden, Dominique Hopkins of Hot Springs, AR, DeWayne Barnes, Craig Granison, Jeffrey (Paula) Thompson, Willie Branch, Toriano Smith, Richard Smith III and Katrina Smith; brother-in-law, Thomas Moore; sister-in-law, Margaret Hall; a dear friend that she has known all her life, Louise Pressley; she will also be missed by a multitude of great-great-grandchildren too numerous to mention and other relatives and friends. Big Ma was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Richard Smith, Sr.; daughter, Catherine L. Peoples and Carolyn L. Smith; son-in-law, L.C. Peoples; son, Lawrence E. Smith; grandchildren, Dwana Barnes, Charles Smith and Eddie Pressley; her parents, James and Lucille Ward; brothers, Booker T., JC, John and Venoris Ward; sisters, Rena Foreman and Julia Moore; brother-in-law, Pastor Ray L. Smith. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Greater Williams Temple C.O.G.I.C., 608 E. Remington Street. Pastor Arthur Aikin will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to greet friends.

Mother Juanita "Big Ma" Smith

January 27, 1924 - December 9, 2016