Cora Ann Smith

Cora Ann “Co” Smith passed into her eternal home to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on July 19, 2021, at the age of 94. Co was born in Kalamazoo on May 13, 1927. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her precious husband of 74 years, Wesley Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Joy; three sons and their wives, John and Sue Smith, James and Annette Smith, and Jeff and Amy Smith; eleven grandchildren and their spouses, and fifteen great grandchildren. She was also loved and will be missed by her special caregivers, Rachel, Theo, Annika and Moriah Mol and Tasha Green at Bethesda Ranch.

Co graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and then worked for a couple of years as a secretary at the Brundage Company. In 1948, she began her career as a stay-at-home mom, where she served for 40 years!  Additionally, she was a skilled teacher, serving for many years as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Group Leader, and Bethel Bible Series teacher (where she memorized 600 Bible concepts) at Hope Reformed Church. In 1977, she was instrumental in bringing Bible Study Fellowship (BSF International) to Kalamazoo and served for one year as an adult group leader and then 25 years as a children’s leader. She had the distinction of attending BSF continuously for 43 years, until COVID forced her to stop. Co loved God, Co loved her family, and Co loved BSF!

Co loved to visit with her family and friends, and their door was always open, especially for fun at North Lake in Gobles! She spent hours “counting heads” of kids swimming, to make sure everyone was safe! Wes and Co were part of several small groups of friends who met regularly for Bible Study or for playing cards. She delighted in keeping in touch with people and sent out hundreds of hand-written Christmas cards each year. Co also learned to decorate fancy cakes and thoroughly enjoyed making creative cakes, candies, and other delicious treats for special events for family and friends.

Co took great joy in encouraging people with God’s word. She also delighted in playing the piano and organ and singing the great hymns of faith. She wrote hundreds of notes, blessing people with scripture and words from hymns. For many years, every person who requested prayer at Third Reformed/Centerpoint Church, many of whom she had never even met, received a weekly note. She read God’s Word daily, reading through the Bible every year for at least 30 years. Co faithfully lived her life as a testimony of God’s Amazing Grace!