Mrs. Josephine "Josie" Smith

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Josephine “Josie” Garth -Smith went to glory on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the age of 64 years. Josie was born May 27, 1955 in Saginaw, Michigan to William and Bertha Garth. Josie was baptized and gave her life to Christ at an early age. She graduated from Saginaw High School, Class of “73”. She went on to attend Delta College where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Social Work. After completing her social work program, she began an exciting career with Inner link as a Youth Care Provider. Josie loved the work she did, it was more than just a paycheck it was her passion. She was always helping and keeping everyone uplifted providing the kids with a sense of purpose and guidance. Josie loved to travel. She belonged to the Destination Unlimited Travel Club for over 20 years. Her curiosity and love of adventure led her to travel to places like Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, New York City, Las Vegas, Virgin Islands, Mexico just to name a few, and she had the refrigerator magnets to prove it. With her loved ones by her side, she met many people from different cultures and lifestyles. Josie was charismatic, she loved making new friends, therefore she was blessed to have many. Despite her chronic health issues, she spent every possible moment doing the things she enjoyed; like, caring for her grandchildren and shopping. Josie was known for her style and always said she had a passion for fashion, (that’s an understatement). She loved everything dazzling and stylish including her eyeglasses. She had beautiful jewelry to match every single outfit. Josie leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Willie Smith; two children, Willie (Boo) Smith, Jr. and Taneshea Smith, both of Grand Rapids, MI; her mother, Bertha Garth; two grandchildren, Ari’Onna Smith and Kennedy Youngblood of Grand Rapids, MI; three siblings, William (Regina) Garth of Saginaw, MI, Brenda (Dennis) Blair of Grand Rapids, MI and Janice Garth of Saginaw, MI; uncles, Frank Garth (Sandra) of Saginaw, MI, Robert Sikes of West Point, MS, Albert Larry (Francis) of Nashville, TN; an aunt, Mary Sue Randolph of Toledo, OH; special niece, Shantoya Blair including other nieces, Tacarra Blair, Alice and Sharmein Garth, Dr. Shamelle Smith-White (Shawn), Nanette Smith, Tiffany Burton and Takesha Jones; nephews, Tramaine Garth-Blair, Dontrell Blair, William (Woody) Garth, Reginald (Teray), David, Peris, Demetrius (Kesha), Detrick and Demaskus Smith; god-sister, Loretta-Price, Atlanta, GA; god-son, Aundray Price Foster of Atlanta, GA; special cousins, Helen (Shell) Thomas, James (Sharon) Boyd, Freda Nowell and Bernice McGlothin; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Ruby Weems, Cheryl Hatter Pruitt, Louis Weems, Yvonne Goodman, Linda Troutman, Gloria Gonzales, Gloria “Chippy” Sims, Mary Brown, Marie Beasley, Connie Plowden, former boss and friend, Johnnie Gibson. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her father, William Garth; grandparents, Robert Garth, Daisy and Charlie Larry and Willie and Lulabee Smith; uncles, Burly, Lee, R.L. Larry and Robert Lee Garth; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Connie and David Smith; aunts, Annie Pearl Garth, Susie Randolph, Ann Johnson and Charlie Ann Dewalt and a niece, Dominique Garth. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff and clients of Fresenius Kidney Care of Kentwood, MI. She loved the people there like extended family. Thank you also to the surgeons, doctors, nurses and staff of Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center for caring for Josie and doing everything they could while she was in their care. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Christ Image Community Church, 5501 Gratiot Road, Saginaw, MI 48638. Pastor Eugene Burton will officiate with interment in Buena Vista Cemetery, 612 Airport Rd., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Josephine "Josie" Smith

May 27, 1955 - June 29, 2019