Martha "LaVerne" Smith

SMITH, Mrs. Martha "Laverne"
Kalamazoo, Michigan Died in her Parchment, Michigan home of 63 years early Easter Sunday morning. Born March 1, 1915 she was the third of five children to Richard D. and Hattie Belle Dunham of Bowie, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Jim, Fay, Glenna and Rita. In 1940 Laverne married Carlton Smith an electrical engineer. After the war in 1946, they relocated with their children to Parchment, Michigan. Carlton died February 4, 1973.
Laverne is survived by her two sons Kenneth Wayne Smith and Dale Sharon Lynn Smith, 4 grandchildren, Scott Amy Kimberly Brian, Steven Mychelle, Heather and 6 great-grandchildren Forrest, Hayden, Autumn, Alexia, Macready, Molly, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Laverne was particularly fond of visits from the neighborhood children and for generations entertained youth in her home with mountains of cookies and uncritical friendship. A surprising percentage of boys and girls in Parchment developed knitting and crochet skills. It was important to Laverne she reside in her own home these past few years and her family would like to express gratitude to Irene Savoie, Senior Services, MI Choice Program, and Hospice for their assistance in helping her to do so. Services will be held 1 o'clock Friday from the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Visitation will be 6-8pm Thursday. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may he directed to the Parchment United Methodist Church.