Mother Vergil Mae Smedley

SMEDLEY, Mother Vergil - Age 83, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at her residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, January 18, 2020 at St. James C.O.G.I.C, 2229 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mother Smedley will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday, with the family present from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM to receive friends. Mother Vergil Mae Smedley of Flint, Michigan, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 8, 2020, at her residence. Vergil Mae Stocker was born on January 14, 1936 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Ivory and Thelma Stocker. She was saved as a young child and was a member of St. James Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) under the leadership of Pastor Elder J. Markham. Vergil Mae later became a member of Faith Gospel Temple Holiness COGIC, under the leadership of Superintendent James E. Walker Jr. Mother Smedley graduated from Flint Central High School where she sang in the School Choir. She continued with her desire to sing and was enrolled into Vocal Training Lessons at Baker Conservatory of Music. Mother Smedley loved going to church. She sang in the Church Choir; as she got older, she began to sing solos for the opening prayer for the weekly live radio broadcast during Sunday morning services. One of her most frequent songs was “Let it Breathe on Me.” Mother Smedley participated in youth services and other church projects. She continued to work alongside with District Missionary, Mother Thelma Stocker in the Hospitality Department at St. James COGIC. While at Faith Gospel Temple Holiness COGIC, she served on the Mother’s Board and supported the Women’s Department. Mother Smedley was married to John L. Smedley on June 9, 1957 in Flint, Michigan. The next day, the couple moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. From this union three children were born, Regina McCants, DeVaughnia Brown, and Curtis Smedley. John and Vergil Mae Smedley were married for 38 years until the Lord called him home on June 26, 1995. Mother Smedley worked for Citizen’s Bank for years where she retired in 1991 after her husband suffered health challenges and began caring for him. She was known as a sweet and kind spirit. Mother Smedley often put the needs of others before her own; the epitome of a caregiver. Her beautiful smile, gentle spirit, and lovely personality will be missed and cherished. Mother Vergil Mae Smedley leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, DeVaughnia Brown of Flint; son, Curtis Smedley of Detroit, MI; 7 grandchildren, Luther (Melissa) Brown Jr. of Flint, Antonio (Edythe) Brown of Lathrup Village, MI, Jermaine (Kaleena) Brown of West Bloomfield, MI, Duane McCants, DiAndre Brown, Kiara Blanks, all of Flint and Jalon Smedley of Austin, TX; 15 great-grandchildren; god-sister, Gail (Edward) Sewell; god-daughter, Cleorah (Paul) DeBose; and god-son, Terreance Reeves; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends. Mother Smedley was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Smedley; daughter and son-in-law, Regina (Duane A.) McCants; parents, Ivory C. and Thelma M. Stocker; twin brother, Virgil C. Stocker; and great-nephew, Virgil Stocker. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Rizwan Danish, Dr. Khalid Ahmed, Valley Area Agency on Aging, Right at Home in Home Care & Assistance, special aid Aleashia, and the Faith Gospel Temple Holiness COGIC family.

Mother Vergil Mae Smedley

January 14, 1936 - January 8, 2020