Mrs. Donna Jean Smith

SMITH, Mrs. Donna Jean - Age 82, passed away Monday, January 27, 2014 at her residence. Family hour 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2014 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. Pastor Seon F. Thompson officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Monday. Mrs. Smith will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Donna Jean Smith was born November 7, 1931 in Flint, Michigan. Donna was the daughter of Eli Robinson and Cleta Mahaley-Robinson. Mrs. Smith was baptized at an early age and was a former member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She married George Nathan Sanders and from this union was born two sons, Michael and George “Skipper” Sanders. Early on, she worked in various capacities at Hurley Hospital in Flint, MI. In 1968, she began work with the City of Flint water department as a clerk/teller. She provided 25 years of dedicated service to the water department before retiring to spend more time with her family. During that time, Mrs. Smith became the loving and dedicated wife of Hulon Smith. They were blessed to spend over two decades of marriage together until Hulon was called Home in 2004. Her love for her son was truly amazing and unconditional, just as it was for her grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, cats, dogs and other animals. Mrs. Smith was a wise and exceptionally beautiful woman who undoubtedly was the matriarch of her family. She was a conservative, fashionable lady, plain-spoken, and an awesome cook and baker. She enjoyed working word puzzles and watching soap operas. She will always be remembered for the unwavering love she had in her heart for her son and family that was evident with her always being there when needed. On January 27, 2014, Mrs. Smith departed this life with a blessed assurance that she was loved by her devoted son, grandsons, great grandchildren and her family. She leaves to cherish her loving memories devoted son, George ”Skipper” Sanders; 3 grandsons, Kinnothan Girard Nelson of Detroit, MI, Deveron (Joyce) Sanders of Flint, MI, and Kevin Hale of Montgomery, AL; 2 great granddaughters, Kaia and Nyla Sanders of Flint, MI; 3 step-daughters, Donna, Denise and Deanna Smith; 2 step-sons, Dwight and Dewayne Smith all from Detroit, MI; and the Sanders stepchildren; 1 sister, Bethany Ashburn-Andrews; 5 brothers, Paul (Rita) Morrison of Moreno Valley, CA., Clarence “ Jimmy” Anderson of Wilkinsburg, PA, William “Billy” Evans of Flint, MI, Don (Lavern) Robinson of Grand Blanc, MI, and Raymond Robinson of New York, NY; Former daughter-in-law Carrie (Bernard) Hale from Montgomery, AL; special cousin, Barbara Harvey. Many other relatives and family survive, including special friends Mary Stewart, and Mary and Mateen Williams. Mrs. Donna Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Eli and Cleta Robinson; husband, Hulon Smith; son, Michael Sanders; former husbands George Sanders and Albert Johnson; 2 sisters, Judy Wynn and Geraldine “Gerri” Gardner; and brother-in-law, William “Smooth Sailing” Ashburn.

Mrs. Donna Jean Smith

November 7, 1931 - January 27, 2014