Faith Smith

Smith , Faith G. 9/16/1956 - 4/19/2021 Kalamazoo On Monday, April 19, 2021 Faith G. Smith passed at the age of 64, after a four-year fight with breast cancer. She was the loving, supporting soulmate and wife to Chris Smith, spending 36 years smoothing out his rough edges. Together they raised five children: Ryan, Andrew, Tyler, Devin, and Erinn. Faith was born on September 16th, 1956 in Biloxi, Mississippi. As a self-described "service brat," she moved with her family from Rochester, New York, to West Lafyette, Indiana, to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Belgium for four years and then back to Kalamazoo. She approached each move like she approached life: as a grand adventure to be embraced. Her appetite for life didn't stop at travel; she was a "foodie" who enjoyed exploring and sharing the local cuisine - especially the desserts. Faith had a passion for music and to create. Growing up, she starred in multiple musicals, playing Laurey Williams in Oklahoma, and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. As a theatre mother, she took this love to create extraordinary costumes for over half a dozen Mattawan school musicals. Her love and involvement in her children's' lives did not stop there. She coached multiple boys' soccer teams, hosted countless cross-country pasta dinners, and made anyone who came into her family's lives feel embraced with warmth, love, and compassion, and so she became "Mama Smith" to many others. Faith was an avid gardener who surrounded herself and the people around her with colorful flowers. No matter where she was, just like her flowers, she would brighten up the room. She appreciated and showed gratitude to everyone around her, making and sharing small gifts at every opportunity and using her quick-wit to spread love and joy. Even during her four years of cancer treatments, she always provided tokens of thanks and appreciation to those providing her treatments. She was a person who always put others before herself and she will be truly missed by all who came to know her. Faith is survived by her husband Christopher Smith; their five children Ryan (Elisabeth) , Andrew (Chelsea), Tyler, Devin (Stephanie), and Erinn; her grandson Myles, and several nieces and nephews who all adored her. A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at St. Monica Parish, 534 W. Kilgore, at 11am. In leu of flowers, please support the West Michigan Cancer Center, c/o the funeral home. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.