​Florence I. Smith, 101 of Sanford, passed away peacefully and rejoined her heavenly family on Monday November 20, 2023.
 
She was born in Coleman to the late Charlie & Catherine (Clarke) Lewis and graduated from Coleman High School in 1941. 
 
She was a loving, strong, determined and fiercely independent woman.  She played the role of mother and father to her son, but despite the struggles, she always provided a loving and warm home.  Always thinking of other first.  “To know her was to Love her.”  She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
 
Florence loved to cook sew, read, make ceramics, do puzzles and sing in the choir at church.
 
She worked as a Dental Assistant, meat cutter and retired from Saginaw Osteopathic Hospital as a Supervisor of Admitting, Communications and Outpatient Services.  She was a caretaker for several friends.
 
Florence is survived by her son Bill (Corinne) Smith, grandchildren: Lorie (Matt) McWilliams, Paula (Eric) George, Alan (Jodi) Wilber, Casey (Jenna) Smith, 8 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
 
She was also preceded in death by her husband Joseph Rilett, son Joseph “Eddie” Rilett, Jr., husband George Smith, a great-grandson Joseph Hasse along with her siblings and their spouses: Carl (Laura) Lewis, Ken (Verdella) Lewis, Clarence (Jean) Lewis, Ruth (Roy) Ramsey, Elmer (Mary) Lewis, Vernell (Glenna) Lewis, Kathleen (Lamar) Long.
 
Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Saturday November 25, 2023 at the Faith United Methodist Church, Coleman, with Rev. Calvin Long officiating.  Burial will take place in the Warren Township Cemetery, Coleman.  Friends may call at the church on Saturday at 12 noon until the time of services.  Memorials are suggested to either Meridian Acres or Care Line Hospice of Grand Rapids.