Delma Jean Smith, 84, of Battle Creek, Michigan, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. She was born in Spring Arbor, Michigan on August 31, 1931, the only child of Lawrence Vincent Baremor and Gertrude Louise (Cross) Baremor.

Delma graduated from Spring Arbor High School in 1949. On August 30, 1952, she married Wendell Smith, the man she described as “the love of her life.” Shortly after they married, they began their family and soon settled in Battle Creek. She spent many years as a doting homemaker caring for her husband and two daughters. She later worked at Cricket Publishing for several years. In addition to her seasonal work at Cricket, Delma enjoyed working as a volunteer at the Charitable Union. She was a faithful member of the Cornerstone Church (formerly the First Free Methodist Church) in Battle Creek for nearly 60 years.

In her younger years, Delma liked going on family vacations to places such as Washington D.C. and Florida. She enjoyed golfing with her husband and spending the winter months at their home in Florida after Wendell’s retirement. They also belonged to the EAA and the Short Wing Piper Club and did a lot of flying in Wendell's Piper Pacer.

Delma is remembered fondly by her family as both a wonderful mother and a caring grandmother. She always loved family gatherings, especially for the holidays, and she never forgot a birthday. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always up for a game of Uno, a dip in the pool, or a bike ride around the neighborhood. Delma was a kind, gentle woman who always thought of others before herself. She was patient and understanding and will be missed immensely by her family and friends. Delma knew Jesus as her savior and lived a life of faith in Christ as an example for her family. As a true child of God, she epitomized the scripture of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. She was a wonderful woman with a big heart and she will be missed dearly by all those who knew her.

Delma is survived by her husband of 63 years, Wendell Smith; two daughters, Diane (Bruce) Taggart, and Peggy (Dan) Arnold; four grandchildren, Lisa (Sally) Altman, Tracy Lee, David (Hong) Arnold, and Steven Arnold; great-grandchildren, Brooke, Kylie, Tyler, Lily, and Sparrow; great-great-grandson, Landyn, and many cousins and close friends in Spring Arbor, MI. Delma was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Jason Taggart.

A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Community Church, 3030 Beckley Road, on Saturday, April 16, 2016, 1:00 pm with Pastor Eric Perry of Cornerstone Community Church officiating and Delma's brother-in-Law, Leon Smith, co-officiating.

Interment will take place in Spring Arbor Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to: Bronson at Home Hospice Residence, the Alzheimer's Association, or the Cornerstone Church.

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