Yvonne "Bonnie" Smith

Although life was not without times of great trial for Yvonne Bonnie Smith, she was a woman of grace whose quiet strength and unwavering faith sustained her along her lifes journey. She devoted her days to loving those around her whether her family, her fellow church members, or those within her community. Armed with a quick wit and her fun-loving spirit, Bonnie brought such beauty to the world around her and never tired of thinking of others ahead of herself. Life will never be the same without Bonnie here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those too numerous to count. Her family finds comfort in knowing that death is not the end, and that one day they will all be together again. The decade of the Roaring Twenties was a vibrant time in America as we said goodbye to the silent film era while Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh commanded the skies. Prohibition was the law of the land while ballroom dancing and authors like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald shaped the cultural fabric of our nation. Amidst this colorful time when Yvonne made her arrival on July 28, 1926, and she was the only child of, Willett and Marie Curtiss. Life was forever changed for Bonnie when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Walter Bud Smith and they met when she was just 18 years old. He was a young serviceman and it was love at first sight. Bonnie became Mrs. Walter Smith on August 28, 1944. It wasnt long before the newlyweds became parents, and over the years they were blessed with six sons: Mike, Brad, Chris, Dave, Craig, and Bruce. Their first home was in Muskegon where Bud worked for FitzJohn Coach. In 1955 they moved to a home on Sixth Street in Fruitport, just down the road from Spring Lake. Bonnie and Bud worked tirelessly over the years that followed to completely remodel the entire house. From the moment Bonnie became a wife her family was always her main focus. She loved cooking for her family, and everything that came out of her kitchen was fantastic. When their boys were growing up they made priceless memories camping together in a tent every summer. Bonnie was involved in the interests of her sons including as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout den mother. She could be a disciplinarian when needed, yet she never hesitated to pull out her favorite saying, Just wait until your father gets home! As her boys grew older and began leaving the nest, Bonnie continued to delight in her family. The holidays always drew everyone back home including unforgettable Christmas gatherings at The Smiths home each year. Throughout her life Bonnie was one to keep busy. She started selling Avon products in 1964, which marked the beginning of a 45 year career she enjoyed. Bonnie was also a lifelong dedicated member of Fruitport United Congregational United Church of Christ where she served in countless ministries as long as she was able. She kept busy with her knitting and crocheting, and she also enjoyed working out in her yard. Bonnie dearly loved the Fruitport community and was honored to serve on the village council for 20 years. She also worked at the local elections for several years. In many ways Bonnie and Bud were true soul mates. They were both very involved in the Fruitport VFW, and they celebrated the day they paid off their home mortgage in 1970 by taking a trip out to California. They were both devastated with the death of their son, Chris, in 1987. Just as there were days to grieve, there were days to rejoice such as when they were elected king and queen during Fruitports Old Fashioned Days in 1994 in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Bonnie again drew on the strength of her faith and the love of her family when she said goodbye to her beloved Bud in 1996. Not long after, she dealt with the the death of her son, Dave in 1996 and a son, Mike in 2007. She sold the family home in 1997 and moved to a smaller place on Fifth Avenue in Fruitport. Bonnie continued to find joy in the days she was given while loving those around her. She was thoughtful of others, and she made sure she marked the special occasions of her friends and loved ones by sending her love through a card. A woman who was content in all things, Yvonne Bonnie Smith lived her life on purpose each and every day. She deeply loved those around her, lived a responsible and frugal life, and exemplified what a woman of faith looks like through the choices she made. Bonnie was smart, fun-loving, and truly beautiful on the inside and out. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Yvonne "Bonnie" F. Smith died Friday, November 18, 2011. Bonnies family includes her three sons, Bradley (Karen) Smith of Sparta, MI, Craig Smith of OH, Bruce Smith of PA; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Walter "Bud; 3 sons, Mike, Chris, Dave; and grandson, Eric. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at Fruitport Congregational United Church of Christ with Pastor Don Wood officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Visit with Bonnies family and friends on Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions can be made to Eric Smith Scholarship Fund or Fruitport Congregational UCC. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign online guestbook.