Mrs. Valery Jean Smith

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend took flight on May 15, 2023 following a brief illness at the age of 74 years. Valery Jean Smith was born on June 8, 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri to Falcon and Flora (Collins) Breeland. She was a graduate of Vashon High School in St. Louis, MO. Valery married and left her hometown with her husband Porter Smith, Sr. to reside in Saginaw, MI in 1967 to this union two children born. Valery retired from AT&T after 30 years of service in 2000. Valery joined Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Marvin T. Smith. She became a member of the Heavenly Hands and V.I.P. Ministries. Valery loved to travel and after retirement traveling became her way of life with her sisters Penny and Marie the GOLDEN GIRLS. Valery loved to also spend her Saturdays playing bingo which was her favorite hobby as well as being a true Los Angeles Laker Die Hard Fan. She had a love for helping people and opening her home to anyone who was in need. Valery would give you the shirt off her back and would not think twice about it. Her favorite bible scripture was, “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me” Philippians 4:13. She never missed a day calling her daughter just to say, “Hey Lil Girl, what’s up”? Her daughter is going to miss hearing those words. Valery best friend was her great granddaughter, Lyric. She would call her every morning to awake her for school and on a bad day would even get up to make sure she had her favorite food when she got out of school. Her great-grandchildren meant the world to her. Valery leaves to cherish her memories, one son, Porter Smith, Jr.; one daughter, Portia (Johnny) Donald, Detroit, MI; one step-daughter, Veronica Smith, St. Louis, MO; one step-son, Portea Lyons Smith, Lansing, MI; two grandchildren, Jasmine Allen and James Morris Young, both of Saginaw, MI; two great-grandchildren, Lyric Coleman and Mason Young, both of Saginaw, MI; three adopted grandchildren, Demarcus Davis, Devario and Dominique Castell; six sisters, Jean Chambers of Detroit, MI, Murdis Gilbaux, Mamie Woods, Brenda Breeland, Carolyn (Jamie) Mattz, all St. Louis, MO and Penny Williams, of Saginaw; two brothers, Bruce (Betty) Breeland and Clarence Breeland, St. Louis, MO; three sisters-in-law, Michelle (Larry) Parsons, Pamela Jones and Renea Smith, all of Saginaw; four brothers-in-law, Stanley, Ronnie and Gordon Clark, all of Memphis, TN and Perry Smith, Omaha, NE; one aunt, Doretha Darris, St. Louis, MO; god-sister, Norma Jean Reid; four god-children, Rodney Green, Dactrick Dunn, Wilbert “Lando” Dunn and Derek Riley, all of Saginaw; many nieces and nephews, cousins including two special cousins, Dale Caine and Jean Schwartz, friends including special friends including Versie Jumper, Terri Lindsay and Onnie Holden. Valery was preceded in death by her grandson, Glenn Coleman II; parents, Falcon and Flora Breeland; grandmother, America Pugh; step-daughter, Ingrid Smith Lee; brothers, Jordon Upchurch, Leon and Vernell Breeland; sister, Emma Jean Patton; aunts, Earline Nesbitt, Catherine Collins and Bessie Shannon; uncles, Sammy, Thomas, Frank, and Clyde; nephew, Glen Simon, Jr.; mother-in-law, Faye Smith; sisters-in-law, Sandra Smith, Ann Rodgers and Althea Clark; brother-in-law, Charles Clark. A private service will take place at a later date.

Mrs. Valery Jean Smith

June 8, 1948 - May 15, 2023