Doris Louella Smead
January 16, 1927 - October 21, 2019

Loving and generous, Doris Luella Smead lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. With a servant's heart, Doris embraced each day, and each person she met as a gift to be treasured. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Doris embodied her values providing all who knew her with a powerful role model. Creative, curious, and kind, Doris was cherished by many and will long be remembered in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

The 1920's were marked by tremendous confidence, prosperity, and previously unknown comforts. The economy boomed, wages rose, and prices fell. A higher standard of living was inspired for most. With the inventions of the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, self-winding watch, bulldozer, the instant camera, drive-in restaurants, Band-Aids, and the convertible, the post-war era marked significant advancement and morale flourished throughout the land. This vibrant time grew even brighter in Wyoming, Michigan, as George and Lodema (McDowell) Smith welcomed their daughter Doris into their family on January 16, 1927.

Growing up as one of the Smiths' 12 children, Doris' early years formed the firm foundation upon which she built the rest of her life. While her mother ran the home, Doris' father provided for the family and served the community as a lay minister and Church Revival Preacher. Her early years were spent in the Green Lake area south of Grand Rapids, where daily life centered around the family's faith and strict structures. Though there were no dances or movies, Doris learned to play the violin as the family frequently moved in response to her father's call as a preacher.

Doris left school after the 8th grade, as the frequent moves made schooling difficult. At the age of 16, she went to live with a cousin in Grand Rapids. There she found work at various places. She worked in a meat factory, as an elevator operator at the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids, and she made shell tubes in a factory during WWII.

Shortly after the war, Doris had the good fortune of meeting her future husband, Robert "Bob" Smead. Set up by Bob's cousin, the pair met at a local dance. Near the end of the evening, Bob asked to give her a ride home. Doris agreed upon the condition that her cousin could have a ride too. As Bob's cousin drove everyone home, fate was sealed; both Doris and Bob and the two cousins were soon couples setting their eyes on futures spent in one another's good company. Not only did both couples eventually marry, but they remained life long friends.

After exchanging their wedding vows on March 7, 1947, Doris and Bob first created their home in a log cabin they rented for a few years. In time they moved into their house on Lake Michigan Drive in West Olive that Doris would call home for the rest of her life. In time, the happy couple was blessed with five children: Janet, Phyllis, Steven, William, and Kathleen. Doris relished in motherhood. She loved being a mom and was very involved with her kids' lives. During their early years, when they didn't have a television, they listened to the radio and played cards and board games together. Quick to volunteer her time and talents, Doris was both a Brownie Leader and a Cub Scout den mother. She was also involved in activities at the small elementary school in Agnew just south of where they lived where the children attended. The family enjoyed fun vacations, including a memorable rainy and bug-filled camping trip to the Upper Peninsula.

Once the children were all in school, Doris found part-time work at the nearby Zelenka Tree farm cutting room. A woman of many interests, Doris was naturally creative and easily contented. She liked to sew and crochet, and she and Bob were members of the Grand Haven Rock Club. Together, they enjoyed hunting for treasures in the gravel piles. It was an especially fun endeavor when the kids would join in the adventure. Doris and Bob also enjoyed dancing. They loved to go square and round dancing so much that they often traveled to participate in dance conventions. Over the years, they were members of several different groups, including the Grand Haven Whirlers, the Swingeroos, and the Tulip City Rounds. For over 50 years, Bob and Doris were faithful members at the Ottawa Center Chapel. They were also Awana leaders and taught sailing at summer church camp at Camp Ao-wa-Kiya. Determined to complete her education, Doris went back to adult education classes and earned her high school diploma in 1979.

In retirement, Doris and Bob started traveling more. She and Bob wintered in Florida for a couple of years. Then they wintered for a time in San Antonio, Texas. Eventually, they made their winter home in Rock Port, Texas on the gulf coast. Regardless of where they stayed, Doris and Bob made many good friends and many wonderful memories.

Without a doubt, Doris loved being a grandmother. Her 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren were truly her heart's delight. In each of their eyes, she easily saw the reflection of her legacy and her greatest hopes for the future. She babysat often, and there were many sleep-overs at grandma's house. She and Bob even took the grandkids on vacation sometimes. Doris also helped take care of the Bialowas quadruplets when they were young, forming a special bond with the family. The children fondly called her "Grandma Doris" and remained close with her until her final days.

After Robert died in 2013, Doris continued to live on her own as long as she could. Eventually, she moved into Grand Pines assisted living. After a short time at Grand Pines, as it was clear her life was coming to a close, she moved back into her home in West Olive for her final days.

Clearly, life feels less certain in the absence of Doris' bright and beautiful presence. May we be comforted to know that each time we wrap ourselves up in one of her crocheted blankets, enjoy hunting for treasure in the outdoors, give freely of our time and talents, or take to the dance floor with our beloved, we celebrate Doris' legacy. And, in so doing, her spirit will continue to inspire others as she so inspired us.

Mrs Doris Luella Smead, age 92, passed away Monday, October 21, 2019. She was born in Wyoming, MI on January 16, 1927, to George & Lodema (McDowell) Smith and married Robert Smead on March 7, 1947 and he preceded her in death in 2013.

Proudly carrying her legacy forward are her 2 sons, Steven (Deanna) Smead of Holland, William (Julia) Smead of TX; 3 daughters, Janet (Bill) Webbert of Houghton Lake, Phyllis Reinke of OH, Kathleen (Jack) Hamacher of Martin; 19 grandchildren; Troy (Jennifer) Webbert, Scott Reinke, Bryan (Jewelia) Reinke, Erin (Kip) Jones, Lisa Hamacher, Richard Hamacher, Christopher (Stormy) Hamacher, James (Angela) Smead, Nicole (Will) Baker, Dennis (Stacy) Smead, Jennifer Hernandez, Adam (Sarah) Smead. and 21 great-grandchildren; Christian, Bryan, Molly, Wyatt, Alice, Lucille, Walter, Aaron, Alexa, Michael, Kallie, Isaac, Isabel, Arik, Kayan, Arianna, Beckett, Elliot B, Ethan, Elliot J and Rhett; Brother David (Linda) Smith; brother-in-law Melvin Behm; special niece, Judy Schafer. She was preceded in death by brothers George, Harold, John; sisters Eleanor, Lillian, Lucille, Virginia, Violet, Edith, Ethel, son-in-law Gerald Reinke and Grandson Scott Reinke.

SERVICE

Saturday, November 2, 2019, 11:00 AM at Ottawa Center Chapel with Rev. Robert Porterfield officiating. Internment in Allendale Cemetery.

VISITATION

One hour prior to the service at the Church. MEMORIAL: Ottawa Center Chapel. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.

Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon

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