Ms. Stephanie Smith

June 3, 1951 - October 13, 2020

On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, after a lengthy illness, our dearly beloved Stephanie Elaine Smith heard the trumpets sound and took her eternal rest. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of the late Herbert and Leatha Theresa French-Herd on June 3, 1951. Being raised as Catholic, Stephanie attended St. Joseph Catholic School for her entire grade school and high school matriculation. At an early age Stephanie accepted the Lord as her savior and went through catechism schooling at St. Joseph. Stephanie was both musically and artistically inclined. Her parents fostered her love for music by allowing her to sing in the church choir, study piano at an early age, and form a singing group with her good friends Edwina Alvarez and Pamela Thompson. As a group they traveled the country and made appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and auditioned for Barry Gordy. Stephanie was known for painting abstract and Black Art that was sold worldwide. While in school, Stephanie enjoyed playing the clarinet, piano, and being the prettiest cheerleader on the team. Stephanie was known for wearing the most gorgeous gowns to all the school dances. She passed down her musical ability and her impeccable fashion sense to her children. After completing high school, Stephanie attended Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan, where she majored in Social Work. Her love for helping people lead her to work for AT&T, Buena Vista High School, and later pursue a successful career with Saginaw County Child Development Program, currently known as CAC Head Start. While at Child Development, Stephanie implemented many programs to assist families with young children to get a head start on education. She assisted parents in acquiring resources to help them further their education and also teach them parenting skills. After enjoying a rewarding career for 20+ years, Stephanie took an early retirement due to her declining health. After retirement, she continued to help people who were in need throughout the community whenever she could. Stephanie enjoyed cooking, traveling, going to the casino, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was the rock of her family and will be missed tremendously by all who knew her. Stephanie leaves to cherish her memory: her significant other of 36 years, Frederick Wilson; four children and three step children, Stephen (Tanaushe) Herd of Detroit, MI, Shamika Billingsley, Venus Billingsley, Domonique (Darrell Vann) Smith and Kenneth Jones, all of Saginaw, MI, Shanethia Stephens of Atlanta, GA and Taylor Lindsey of St. Charles, LA; six siblings, Herbert (Vanessa) Herd of Saginaw, MI, Keith (Connie) Herd of Saginaw, MI, Ronald (Priscilla) Herd of League City, TX, Theresa (Tommie) Gipson of Saginaw, MI, Joseph (Verlona) Herd of Gross Point Woods, MI, and Kathleen (Richard) Brown of Waldorf, MD; 27 grandchildren, Dominic “Pooh-Man” Reed, April “AJ” Herd, Dequarius “Pooh” Jenkins, Ciara “Masoni” Sykes, Shan’Tiara “Nana” Grimmet, Stepharion “Pharoah” Little, Stetayvion “Greedy” Little, Stephen “Wooga” Herd, Jr., La’Merris “Moona” (John, Sr.) Lamb, Zeven Martin, Tyrone Price, Santana “Tana” Wicker, ShaToya “Shookie” Billingsley, Quentanet “Net-Net” DeBerry, Deontray “Zoona” Billingsley, Donesha “Baby NeNe” McIntosh, Nichole “Sprout” Billingsley, Leigha “Sprite” Billingsley, Michaela “Sprocket” Lee, Jasper “Springer” Billingsley, Veronika “Roni” Smith, Avery “Mae” Smith, Jules “Junie B” Smith-Vann, Kentera “KayKay” (Pedro Velez) Patterson, Kentrali “KeKe” Patterson, AnQuaniece “Moekee” Moore, and AnQuavia “MoeMoe” Moore; 23 great-grandchildren, Alanna and Asharie Herd, John II, Justice, and Jaiyana Lamb, Richard and La’Tasia Coleman, Marquavion and Detayvion Wicker, Jefferey Hill, Justice Scott, Ta’Lor Scott, Ta’Layah DeBerry, Zaniyah Little, Elijah and Ezekiel Velez, Darryl Bentley, Kash Patterson, Rau’Mylah, Rau’Myrah, Raumeal Jr, Rau’Myah, and RauMance Johnson; one uncle, James French, Charleston, NC; her best friend of 40+ years Mary West; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Stephanie was preceded in death by her mother, Leatha Herd-Britto; father, Herbert Herd Sr.; one sister, Catherine Herd; step-father, Neville Britto; great-grandson Anthony Stephens Jr., and special aunt, Corutello “Tillie” Henderson. The family of Ms. Stephanie Elaine Smith would like to extend gratitude to Fresenius Dialysis Center and the nursing staff of Covenant HealthCare–Cooper Campus. Visitation will take place from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2020, at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607. A private funeral service will be held. Interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607.