Terrence Lee "Terry" Smith, 67, took his final journey on July 26, 2017 surrounded by family and friends. Terry was born November 3, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan the first of three sons to William and MaryLyn (Ham) Smith. Terry was a son, brother, dear friend and an uncle, all titles he took seriously and enjoyed greatly. Dedicated, caring, bright, hardworking and loyal are words that describe Terry best. Terry lived his whole life in the Battle Creek area, although he enjoyed visits to Missouri to see extended family. He especially enjoyed the last few trips he took when he got to share family history with his great nephew and great niece. Traveling by car with each of them was a true highlight for Terry.
Terry graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967 and Western Michigan University in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education. Terry spent many years teaching for Battle Creek Public Schools and during that time also completed his Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Terry received a Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan Reading Association in 1989. He served as Union President for the Battle Creek Teachers Association for many years. He retired as a reading teacher at Dudley Elementary.
Terry was also very active at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. He was on many different committees over the years most recently the Chair of Trustees, the worship team and the finance committee. He was a proud member of his church and was thrilled when his niece Melissa got involved with the church and even sat on the worship team with him.
Terry was also involved in the local Mensa group, most recently as the testing coordinator. He often opened his home for people interested in completing Mensa testing. Terry was an active member of the local Mensa group and enjoyed the many activities the group offered.
Terry is survived by his brothers, Steve (Sue) and Kevin. He also leaves his nieces Melissa (Arturo) Castelan and Laura Smith and his great nephew, Kyle and great niece, Katelin.
Terry had a special bond with his niece, Katelin, who as long as she finished her homework she could convince him to do anything, while in reality he was just happy to be spending time with her. Terry loved to read and spent many afternoons and evenings reading first to Melissa and Laura and then to Kyle and Katelin. He truly enjoyed the last few months when Melissa and Katelin would visit him in the hospital and read to him. They knew he was alert and listening when he would correct their pronunciations.
Terry leaves behind many friends including special friend Fred Hayes.
The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 30th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care where services to celebrate Terry's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 31st with Rev. Marshall Murphy, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church to help with Terry's latest project of renovating some of the stained-glass windows.
Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Terry graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967 and Western Michigan University in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education. Terry spent many years teaching for Battle Creek Public Schools and during that time also completed his Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Terry received a Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan Reading Association in 1989. He served as Union President for the Battle Creek Teachers Association for many years. He retired as a reading teacher at Dudley Elementary.
Terry was also very active at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. He was on many different committees over the years most recently the Chair of Trustees, the worship team and the finance committee. He was a proud member of his church and was thrilled when his niece Melissa got involved with the church and even sat on the worship team with him.
Terry was also involved in the local Mensa group, most recently as the testing coordinator. He often opened his home for people interested in completing Mensa testing. Terry was an active member of the local Mensa group and enjoyed the many activities the group offered.
Terry is survived by his brothers, Steve (Sue) and Kevin. He also leaves his nieces Melissa (Arturo) Castelan and Laura Smith and his great nephew, Kyle and great niece, Katelin.
Terry had a special bond with his niece, Katelin, who as long as she finished her homework she could convince him to do anything, while in reality he was just happy to be spending time with her. Terry loved to read and spent many afternoons and evenings reading first to Melissa and Laura and then to Kyle and Katelin. He truly enjoyed the last few months when Melissa and Katelin would visit him in the hospital and read to him. They knew he was alert and listening when he would correct their pronunciations.
Terry leaves behind many friends including special friend Fred Hayes.
The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 30th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care where services to celebrate Terry's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 31st with Rev. Marshall Murphy, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church to help with Terry's latest project of renovating some of the stained-glass windows.
Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Terrence Lee "Terry" Smith, 67, took his final journey on July 26, 2017 surrounded by family and friends. Terry was born November 3, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan the first of three sons to William and MaryLyn (Ham) Smith. Terry was a son, brother, dear friend and an uncle, all titles he took seriously and enjoyed greatly. Dedicated, caring, bright, hardworking and loyal are words that describe Terry best. Terry lived his whole life in the Battle Creek area, although he enjoyed visits to Missouri to see extended family. He especially enjoyed the last few trips he took when he got to share family history with his great nephew and great niece. Traveling by car with each of them was a true highlight for Terry.
Terry graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967 and Western Michigan University in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education. Terry spent many years teaching for Battle Creek Public Schools and during that time also completed his Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Terry received a Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan Reading Association in 1989. He served as Union President for the Battle Creek Teachers Association for many years. He retired as a reading teacher at Dudley Elementary.
Terry was also very active at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. He was on many different committees over the years most recently the Chair of Trustees, the worship team and the finance committee. He was a proud member of his church and was thrilled when his niece Melissa got involved with the church and even sat on the worship team with him.
Terry was also involved in the local Mensa group, most recently as the testing coordinator. He often opened his home for people interested in completing Mensa testing. Terry was an active member of the local Mensa group and enjoyed the many activities the group offered.
Terry is survived by his brothers, Steve (Sue) and Kevin. He also leaves his nieces Melissa (Arturo) Castelan and Laura Smith and his great nephew, Kyle and great niece, Katelin.
Terry had a special bond with his niece, Katelin, who as long as she finished her homework she could convince him to do anything, while in reality he was just happy to be spending time with her. Terry loved to read and spent many afternoons and evenings reading first to Melissa and Laura and then to Kyle and Katelin. He truly enjoyed the last few months when Melissa and Katelin would visit him in the hospital and read to him. They knew he was alert and listening when he would correct their pronunciations.
Terry leaves behind many friends including special friend Fred Hayes.
The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 30th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care where services to celebrate Terry's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 31st with Rev. Marshall Murphy, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church to help with Terry's latest project of renovating some of the stained-glass windows.
Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Terry graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967 and Western Michigan University in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education. Terry spent many years teaching for Battle Creek Public Schools and during that time also completed his Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Terry received a Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan Reading Association in 1989. He served as Union President for the Battle Creek Teachers Association for many years. He retired as a reading teacher at Dudley Elementary.
Terry was also very active at First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. He was on many different committees over the years most recently the Chair of Trustees, the worship team and the finance committee. He was a proud member of his church and was thrilled when his niece Melissa got involved with the church and even sat on the worship team with him.
Terry was also involved in the local Mensa group, most recently as the testing coordinator. He often opened his home for people interested in completing Mensa testing. Terry was an active member of the local Mensa group and enjoyed the many activities the group offered.
Terry is survived by his brothers, Steve (Sue) and Kevin. He also leaves his nieces Melissa (Arturo) Castelan and Laura Smith and his great nephew, Kyle and great niece, Katelin.
Terry had a special bond with his niece, Katelin, who as long as she finished her homework she could convince him to do anything, while in reality he was just happy to be spending time with her. Terry loved to read and spent many afternoons and evenings reading first to Melissa and Laura and then to Kyle and Katelin. He truly enjoyed the last few months when Melissa and Katelin would visit him in the hospital and read to him. They knew he was alert and listening when he would correct their pronunciations.
Terry leaves behind many friends including special friend Fred Hayes.
The family will receive friends 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 30th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care where services to celebrate Terry's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 31st with Rev. Marshall Murphy, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church to help with Terry's latest project of renovating some of the stained-glass windows.
Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
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