Rachel
Rachel A. Smith
Rachel passed away Monday, October 25, 2021 at her home in Kalamazoo.
She was born in Allegan on December 30, 1925, the daughter of Clair and Frances (Wood) Rouse. Rachel graduated from the University of Michigan. She was an RN at many area doctor’s offices. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting, quilting and playing golf. She was an active member of the Sowers and the 12th Street Baptist Church. On May 1, 1948 at First Baptist Church of Otsego she married S. Burton Smith who passed away in 2019.
Surviving are her children, Sue (Richard) Gorton of Kalamazoo, Bruce Smith of Otsego and Jim Smith of Fennville; 8 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ilene Publiski along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Russell; 3 great-grandchildren and 3 siblings.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, October 29, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Otsego with Pastor Thaddeus Stout officiating.
Burial of ashes will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Rachel may be made to
12th Street Baptist Church
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Rachel A. Smith
Condolence Messages
Rita Honeysett
October 26, 2021 at 10:39 am
My heartfelt condolences to her family.
Reply
Bert Vist
October 26, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Rachel was a huge impact on my life . I met her and Burt when I was 30 yrs old , her and I prayed together and my life changed forever. I’m entirely grateful for her friendship and love. We will miss her dearly. ❤❤
Reply
Carolyn Jordan
October 26, 2021 at 5:14 pm
How my heart aches for you- Jim, Sue & Bruce. I just have no words to express all that is going through my head right now. While my heart breaks, it also rejoices, because Rachel has joined the Holy Church Triumphant & is with our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. She is with Burt & all of her loved ones….. She has crossed the River Jordan & has her Glorious Crown. Please know how much my heart is with you all.
Reply
Lynne. Wood Cook
October 26, 2021 at 6:12 pm
To Sue, Bruce, and Jim.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I could always look forward to seeing your folks at the soup suppers and I enjoyed our chats. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Reply
Judy Moore
October 26, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Sorry for your loss.
Reply
Marilyn Coffield
October 26, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Sue, Dick and family,
I have many sweet memories of your mother….getting me my first real nursing job at Plainwell Sanatorium, watching her good nursing skills and her love for the patients. She was a straight talker, laughed easily, had a great smile and loved the Lord fervently!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Dave and Marilyn Root Coffield
Reply
Gail
October 26, 2021 at 11:49 pm
My mOmA went to school with miss Rachael and i had the opportunity to meet her several years after when she filled in for a nurse at the local drs office. She climbed right up on the table over me to wash out my eye. She had a smile to brighten everyones day. I am sorry for your loss. Gail Bunker VanPolen
Reply
Mrs. Jim Hewitt. (Patti Khodl )
October 27, 2021 at 10:17 am
To Rachel’s family,
What longevity! So sorry to read of your loss. Time spent with our loved ones is always too short. Mothers are pretty special as we learn so much from them. Sue I didn’t know your mother was a nurse, so no surprise you became an RN also. Be kind and gentle with yourselves as you adjust to her passing.
Reply
Lynn Anderson
October 27, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Momma I love you and enjoyed our many hours together. I will truly miss you, but I know you are now with Dad. I couldn’t ask for more. You have left me with so many memories over the years I have things to sustain me until we meet again. Thank you Sue & Bruce for sharing your Mother with me. It was such an honor to have her call me her “daughter”.
God bless all your family.
Reply
Donna Colegrove
October 27, 2021 at 7:12 pm
So sorry for the loss of your mother. Your parents were very special. I looked up to them. Prayers for all the family at this time.
Reply
Michael Chase
October 27, 2021 at 10:40 pm
To Sue, Bruce, & Jim,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a special person. She always had a smile on her face. She was a wonderful person. I’m very grateful of knowing her. Prayers and thoughts.
Reply
Dave & Roberta (Tompkins) Kuitert
October 27, 2021 at 11:25 pm
Condolences to Sue and Dick and entire Smith family.
Your Mom was such a sweet lady. Hold on to all your memories and cherish them.
Prayers for you in day ahead.
Reply
Lynea Hartig
October 30, 2021 at 7:41 am
Rachel and Burt together again and reunited with their son, Russ. It is a beautiful thought and I am hoping that picture of Rachel entering heaven and meeting her Lord and Savior is a comfort to her family at this time of grief.
My children grew up with Dawn and Jen Smith, neighbors right down the road. So we often saw Grandma and Grandpa Smith at soccer games. Always smiling, Rachel was a wonderful person to run into anywhere. She was upbeat, quick to laugh, and more than willing to speak out for the Lord. I always admired how Shari and the Smith side of the family stayed close over the years. I know Grandma Smith was a positive influence on all her grandchildren. I identified with Rachel as we both, decades apart, unexpectedly lost a son in his twenties. From afar, she provided an example of a mother who continued to hold fast to her faith in spite of tragedy. Rachel was better for her loss, not bitter. Thank you, Rachel, for your consistent Christian walk.
This virtuous woman lives in the wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity. So go ahead and give her the credit that is due, for she has become a radiant woman, and all her loving works of righteousness deserve to be admired at the gateways of every city! From Proverbs 31
Reply
Sue Gorton
November 6, 2021 at 10:39 am
Thank you…What a wonderful memory !!
Reply
Rich and Marleah Simons.
October 31, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Our Heartfelt condolence to the family. Sending prayers for comfort to the whole family.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
Email
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
She was born in Allegan on December 30, 1925, the daughter of Clair and Frances (Wood) Rouse. Rachel graduated from the University of Michigan. She was an RN at many area doctor’s offices. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting, quilting and playing golf. She was an active member of the Sowers and the 12th Street Baptist Church. On May 1, 1948 at First Baptist Church of Otsego she married S. Burton Smith who passed away in 2019.
Surviving are her children, Sue (Richard) Gorton of Kalamazoo, Bruce Smith of Otsego and Jim Smith of Fennville; 8 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ilene Publiski along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Russell; 3 great-grandchildren and 3 siblings.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, October 29, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Otsego with Pastor Thaddeus Stout officiating.
Burial of ashes will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Rachel may be made to
12th Street Baptist Church
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Rachel A. Smith
Condolence Messages
Rita Honeysett
October 26, 2021 at 10:39 am
My heartfelt condolences to her family.
Reply
Bert Vist
October 26, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Rachel was a huge impact on my life . I met her and Burt when I was 30 yrs old , her and I prayed together and my life changed forever. I’m entirely grateful for her friendship and love. We will miss her dearly. ❤❤
Reply
Carolyn Jordan
October 26, 2021 at 5:14 pm
How my heart aches for you- Jim, Sue & Bruce. I just have no words to express all that is going through my head right now. While my heart breaks, it also rejoices, because Rachel has joined the Holy Church Triumphant & is with our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. She is with Burt & all of her loved ones….. She has crossed the River Jordan & has her Glorious Crown. Please know how much my heart is with you all.
Reply
Lynne. Wood Cook
October 26, 2021 at 6:12 pm
To Sue, Bruce, and Jim.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I could always look forward to seeing your folks at the soup suppers and I enjoyed our chats. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Reply
Judy Moore
October 26, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Sorry for your loss.
Reply
Marilyn Coffield
October 26, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Sue, Dick and family,
I have many sweet memories of your mother….getting me my first real nursing job at Plainwell Sanatorium, watching her good nursing skills and her love for the patients. She was a straight talker, laughed easily, had a great smile and loved the Lord fervently!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Dave and Marilyn Root Coffield
Reply
Gail
October 26, 2021 at 11:49 pm
My mOmA went to school with miss Rachael and i had the opportunity to meet her several years after when she filled in for a nurse at the local drs office. She climbed right up on the table over me to wash out my eye. She had a smile to brighten everyones day. I am sorry for your loss. Gail Bunker VanPolen
Reply
Mrs. Jim Hewitt. (Patti Khodl )
October 27, 2021 at 10:17 am
To Rachel’s family,
What longevity! So sorry to read of your loss. Time spent with our loved ones is always too short. Mothers are pretty special as we learn so much from them. Sue I didn’t know your mother was a nurse, so no surprise you became an RN also. Be kind and gentle with yourselves as you adjust to her passing.
Reply
Lynn Anderson
October 27, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Momma I love you and enjoyed our many hours together. I will truly miss you, but I know you are now with Dad. I couldn’t ask for more. You have left me with so many memories over the years I have things to sustain me until we meet again. Thank you Sue & Bruce for sharing your Mother with me. It was such an honor to have her call me her “daughter”.
God bless all your family.
Reply
Donna Colegrove
October 27, 2021 at 7:12 pm
So sorry for the loss of your mother. Your parents were very special. I looked up to them. Prayers for all the family at this time.
Reply
Michael Chase
October 27, 2021 at 10:40 pm
To Sue, Bruce, & Jim,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a special person. She always had a smile on her face. She was a wonderful person. I’m very grateful of knowing her. Prayers and thoughts.
Reply
Dave & Roberta (Tompkins) Kuitert
October 27, 2021 at 11:25 pm
Condolences to Sue and Dick and entire Smith family.
Your Mom was such a sweet lady. Hold on to all your memories and cherish them.
Prayers for you in day ahead.
Reply
Lynea Hartig
October 30, 2021 at 7:41 am
Rachel and Burt together again and reunited with their son, Russ. It is a beautiful thought and I am hoping that picture of Rachel entering heaven and meeting her Lord and Savior is a comfort to her family at this time of grief.
My children grew up with Dawn and Jen Smith, neighbors right down the road. So we often saw Grandma and Grandpa Smith at soccer games. Always smiling, Rachel was a wonderful person to run into anywhere. She was upbeat, quick to laugh, and more than willing to speak out for the Lord. I always admired how Shari and the Smith side of the family stayed close over the years. I know Grandma Smith was a positive influence on all her grandchildren. I identified with Rachel as we both, decades apart, unexpectedly lost a son in his twenties. From afar, she provided an example of a mother who continued to hold fast to her faith in spite of tragedy. Rachel was better for her loss, not bitter. Thank you, Rachel, for your consistent Christian walk.
This virtuous woman lives in the wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity. So go ahead and give her the credit that is due, for she has become a radiant woman, and all her loving works of righteousness deserve to be admired at the gateways of every city! From Proverbs 31
Reply
Sue Gorton
November 6, 2021 at 10:39 am
Thank you…What a wonderful memory !!
Reply
Rich and Marleah Simons.
October 31, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Our Heartfelt condolence to the family. Sending prayers for comfort to the whole family.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
Guestbook
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors