Obituary of Vivian Delores Smith

Vivian Delores Smith made her peaceful transition early Sunday, November 14, 2021, at Bronson Hospital. She was born the fifth of nine children, on December 27, 1955, to her late parents, Elder Floyd B. Smith, Sr. and Mother Mary Vernice Smith, in Kalamazoo, MI. Vivian attended Kalamazoo Public Schools and upon graduating in 1973, she obtained employment at Bronson Methodist Hospital, where she remained until 2009, retiring after nearly 36 years in the Reprocessing Department, and where she often worked with her only sister, Angela. Vivian loved the Lord with all of her heart! She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, under the leadership of the late Superintendent John H. Buchanan of Prayer Garden Church of God in Christ. She sang in the youth choir, was a participant of the Sunshine Band and was a Purity Class member. Vivian later became a member of St. James Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of the late Superintendent Levarn Smith, Sr, where she blossomed in many areas of the church. Some of her church work included working in the auxiliaries of Sunday School Teacher, Choir President/Choir Director, Young People’s Willing Workers Teacher, Praise and Worship Leader, Pastor’s Aide, Sewing Circle, Prayer and Bible Band Assistant President, and worked on the Kitchen Committee. Her work continued under the leadership of Superintendent John Smith. Vivian could always be counted on to fill in wherever she was needed. Church visitors would feel “at home” once Vivian would welcome them to the church, smiling, as the Voice of Hospitality of St. James COGIC. Vivian was a staunch supporter of the St. James Basketball League, where she, her sister and their mother, Mother Mary Smith, were the loudest cheerleaders! Whatever her hands found to do, Vivian was there to do it, even in her ailments, she gave all that she could. She immersed herself in church work, until she was unable to do as she wanted. She did not stop, she just slowed down. Not only was Vivian an asset in her local and district church, but she was also an asset to the State, where she was a Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction State Prayer Warrior. She attended numerous International Women’s Conventions, the COGIC Youth Congress, UNAC and AIM Conventions, attended the yearly Holy Convocations in Memphis, Tennessee, singing in the choir for nearly every convention. Vivian loved her family and enjoyed cooking for them. The family will certainly miss her lasagna, deviled eggs, pineapple upside down cake, dressing and her famous punch! She was active in many family reunions, and usually could be found somewhere in the background preparing dishes for the family. Vivian would also prepare baked goods for her co-workers and others who knew of her cooking skills. Vivian was also a sports fan and would sometimes get in involved discussions with her brothers and nephews. Vivian was a true and valiant soldier. She was a resolute and faithful woman to the Lord. Though she came from a large family, she was most closest to her mother and her sister Angela. One rarely saw just one of them as they were always together traveling around the city or even going out of town. They would spend hours watching cooking shows and deciding which dish to prepare for the family to enjoy. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Milton Smith, Sr., Cornell Smith, and Kenneth Smith, nephew, Doug Smith. Vivian will lovingly be remembered by her family, brothers, Floyd B (Charlotte), of Stockbridge, GA, Dornell of Kalamazoo, MI, James Anthony of Caledonia, MI, and Timothy Jerome (Teresa) of Battle Creek, MI, one sister, Angela Marie (Rodney) Mitchell of Kalamazoo, MI; eight nephews, three nieces, several great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; Godson, Jonathan S. Roden; special friends, Annie Brown, Ann Beville, and her Caregiver, Jearleen Willis. We rejoice in knowing that Vivian now has a new body with absolutely no aches, troubles or pain . Vivian was strong. She was remarkable. Vivian IS irreplaceable. Timothy 4: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: