Virginia Smith

Virginia "Jean" Smith Mrs. Virginia "Jean" Smith, 87, passed away on February 20, 2015 at her home after a brief battle with cancer, with her family by her side. Know to most people in Atlanta as Jean, she was born in Flint, MI on November 26, 1927 to Hans and Mary (Francey) Peterson and moved with the family to the Kellyville area west of Atlanta in 1930 and later to Big Rock in 1940. She married Junior Smith on July 28, 1946 and settled east of Atlanta, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Jean was one of the three original workers at Boyne Products (later renamed Essex Wire) and worked at the factory until it closed. She then worked as the head cook at the Atlanta Community School until she retired in 1992. She was a past member of the Women's Fellowship at Big Rock Congregational Church and loved to crochet, knit and make quilts. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband Junior, brothers Fred and Norman Peterson, sister Joy Thomas, and daughter Dorothy. She is survived by her sisters Jacqueline Secrist and JoAnn Smith; sons, Doug (Susan) of East Lansing, MI, Dave and Dennis of Atlanta, MI, and Don (Linda) of Oak Park, IL. In addition she leaves three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Hospice Advantage, Otsego Memorial Hospital, and her personal physician, Dr. Becky Ashley for their skilled and compassionate care throughout this difficult time. As were her wishes, cremation has taken place and Mrs. Smith will be interred at Avery Township Cemetery at a later date.
Jean was one of the three original workers at Boyne Products (later renamed Essex Wire) and worked at the factory until it closed. She then worked as the head cook at the Atlanta Community School until she retired in 1992. She was a past member of the Women's Fellowship at Big Rock Congregational Church and loved to crochet, knit and make quilts. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband Junior, brothers Fred and Norman Peterson, sister Joy Thomas, and daughter Dorothy.
She is survived by her sisters Jacqueline Secrist and JoAnn Smith; sons, Doug (Susan) of East Lansing, MI, Dave and Dennis of Atlanta, MI, and Don (Linda) of Oak Park, IL. In addition she leaves three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Hospice Advantage, Otsego Memorial Hospital, and her personal physician, Dr. Becky Ashley for their skilled and compassionate care throughout this difficult time.
As were her wishes, cremation has taken place and Mrs. Smith will be interred at Avery Township Cemetery at a later date.