Mrs. Ronda Lene Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mrs. Ronda Lene Smith beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend passed away at Covenant Medical Healthcare Cooper on June 23, 2022 at the age of 60 years. Ronda was born in Saginaw, Michigan July 9, 1961 to Juanita Green and Curtis Thomas, Sr. Ronda was a lifelong member of the Spiritual Israel Church & Its Army. In her youth, she participated in many General Assemblies as a delegate for the Saginaw Temple. She also worked with the Y.O.P. Youth Group at the church and raised money to take the Saginaw Youth to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Ronda was a proud Trojan and graduated with honors from Saginaw High School in 1979. While in grade school, Ronda participated and excelled in many sports including basketball, swimming and track. In 1976, she was the only sophomore to play on the girls Varsity Basketball Team and in 1977, the team had a record of 23-1 making it all the way to the State Semi-finals. She often boasted about how, “Even the boys couldn’t beat me!” She returned to Saginaw High School and coached girls’ basketball and softball. She later received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Delta College. Ronda was an extremely dedicated worker and was passionate about children. She worked with the Saginaw Civic Center, later called the Dow Event Center, Ronda met many celebrities including Flava Flav, BB King, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, and Rick James. Ronda worked many roles within the Saginaw Public School District for over 20 years, providing a loving and safe environment for her students. She met many people along the way and worked at many schools within the district including, Emerson Elementary, Saginaw High School, Longfellow Elementary, Merrill Park Elementary and Arthur Eddy Academy. She established many lifelong relationships with coworkers, students, and parents that will continue in her memory. Later in life, Ronda continued working with children and worked ten years at the Wolverine Secure Treatment Facility where she was employed as a Youth Care Worker. She trained many new employees, and became the “grandmother” of her unit. She was loved and respected by all the youth in the facility. She continued her working with the Carriage House until her earthly departure. Ronda’s residents loved her and looked for her daily. Even while Ronda fought her own illness, she continued to care for her residents until she could no longer bare. Ronda will be loved and remembered by her husband, Marshall “June” Smith; father, Curtis Thomas, Sr.; children, Bria (Dennis) and Juan Smith; step-children, Kishna McClendon and Marshall “Lil June” West; sisters, Almeta McCray, Geraldine Thomas, Angie Gipson, Karen Robinson, Diane Wooten and JoAnn Reddit; brothers, Curtis (Hattie) Thomas, Jr. and Lester Weston; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, including special cousin, Evelyn Hardy Garrett and a special sister-in-law, Sherita (Billy) Smith. Ronda was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Green; grandmothers, Florida Green and Essie Thomas; grandfather, Willie Thomas; nephew, Anthony “Scooter” Smith; brother, Larry Johnson and father-in-law, William Hargrove.. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM Monday, July 11, 2022, at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607. Bishop Bobby Davis will officiate. Interment will take place in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48601. Visitation will be 9:00 AM until the time of service.

Mrs. Ronda Lene Smith

July 9, 1961 - June 23, 2022