She was born on July 14, 1926 in Ionia, Michigan. She was the daughter of Harry and Cherry (Lybek) Harter.
Mom was an active, young at heart, 96-year-old. She loved to share happy memories from her childhood, from riding her horse around Lake Lansing to stories of her pet pig and goat, among others. She had a deep love for her parents.
In 1949, she married Earl Smith in Lansing, Michigan. She missed him dearly when he passed away in 2012. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She loved flowers and being outside and passed on her love of sewing to her children. She knitted over 100 hats for children through her seniors group at New Hope Church, even at the age of 95.
She is survived by her four children, Sharon Hoag (Jerry) Freels of Traverse City, Janet (John) Mulvaney of Holt, Julie (Chad) Rensi of Charlotte, and Rodney Smith of Little River, S.C. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Adam (Danielle) Hoag, Stacy Hoag, John E. Mulvaney, Angela Mulvaney, Tim (Sarah) Mulvaney, Jennifer (Ken) Holmberg, Bethany Rensi, and Kari (Reid) Lambright; eight great-grandchildren, Brennan Bever and Brody Osborn, Charlie and Tommy Mulvaney, Nathan and Micah Holmberg, Graham and Tessa Lambright; along with many nieces and nephews. She will be forever missed by her adoring and loving family.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; infant daughter, Susan June; her parents; brother, Harold Harter; and son-in-law, Bill Hoag.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 31, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at New Hope Church, 2170 E. Saginaw Hwy, East Lansing. Following the service, Maxine will be laid to rest in Rose Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Maxine Smith may be made to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or the New Hope Church.
Serving as pallbearers are Adam Hoag, John E. Mulvaney, Tim Mulvaney, Brennan Bever, Ken Holmberg and Reid Lambright.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Smith family.
