Virginia Ardith Smith, 90, of Traverse City, passed away November 6, 2016.
Virginia was born to the late Cecil and Goldie (Gray) Hippensteel on January 3, 1926 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Growing up, she learned to play the piano and enjoyed to sing. These turned into to two passions in her life. She continued to share her talents with her church community, Traverse City Church of Nazarene in the later years.

On February 20, 1947 she married her best friend and love, the late John T. Smith in Mapleton, MI. Together they raised three wonderful sons; Robert, Ronald and James. During their marriage, Virginia and John loved to travel, Florida for the winters and countless other places together. Family time with the kids for Virginia was filled with picnics, fun at the cottage on Elk Lake and being together.

Before moving to Saginaw, Virginia worked at the Traverse City State Hospital. Virginia then worked as a Registered Nurses Aide at St. Luke's Hospital in Saginaw where she laid her roots. She also spent some time as an in-home health aide after that. Not only was she the caregiver to her patients, she was to her family and friends. She was the counselor, the organizer, the healer, the family historian, the social butterfly, your comfort and solace and the special woman that always had a positive impact on you.

Virginia was a devote member of the Traverse City Church of Nazarene where she actively participated as a Sunday school teacher. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived and missed dearly by her three sons; Robert (Mary), Ronald (Deborah), and James (Patricia) Smith, her grandchildren; Kendra Brooke (Tony) Yuresko, Andrew John (Melissa) Smith, Jason William (Melissa) Smith, Scott Matthew Smith, Timothy Ronald (Michelle) Smith, Michael Joseph (Maryanne) Smith, Jennifer Lynn Smith, and Eric James Smith, great grandchildren; Carson, Lauren and Hudson Yuresko, Caleb, Grace, and Melody Smith, Marlee Larosa, Ezekial and Alexis Smith, Dylan Bartlett, Dayton, Chloe, Preston, Tyler, Tanner, Samuel and Noah Smith and Fletcher Smith, sister, June (Paul) Hansen, sister-in-law's; Patricia Hippensteel, Pricilla and Thelma, brother-in-law's; James D, Donald and Larry, special friends Joan Smith and Dawn Hippensteel, special cousin Evan Deemer, special nephew Christian Hippensteel, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Virginia is preceded in death by both her parents, by her loving husband John, her brother C. L., her sister Wilma and her half-sister Mary.
Those considering a memorial contribution in Virginia's name could do so through the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews from Israel; 30 N LaSalle St #4300, Chicago, IL 60602.

A memorial service will be held at the Traverse City Church of Nazarene on Thursday November 10, 2016, at 11:00am, with a visiting time for friends and family one hour prior. Virginia's final resting place will be Oakwood Cemetery next to her husband.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with the Smith Family.The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.