This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: SMITH, DUNHAM Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22587/mb.ashx Message Board Post: SMITH, Mrs. Martha "Laverne" Of Kalamazoo, MI Died in her Parchment, Michigan home of 63 years early Easter Sunday morning. Born March 1, 1915, she was the third of five children to Richard D. and Hattie Belle Dunham of Bowie, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Jim, Fay, Glenna and Rita. In 1940, Laverne married Carlton Smith, an electrical engineer. After the war in 1946, they relocated with their children to Parchment, Michigan. Carlton died February 4, 1973. Laverne is survived by her two sons, Kenneth Wayne Smith and Dale (Sharon) Lynn Smith; four grandchildren, Scott (Amy) Kimberly (Brian), Steven (Mychelle), Heather and six great-grandchildren, Forrest, Hayden, Autumn, Alexia, Macready, Molly; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Laverne was particularly fond of visits from the neighborhood children and for generations entertained youth in her home with mountains of cookies and uncritical friendship. A surprising percentage of boys and girls in Parchment developed knitting and croche! t skills. It was important to Laverne she reside in her own home these past few years and her family would like to express gratitude to Irene Savoie, Senior Services, MI Choice Program, and Hospice for their assistance in helping her to do so. Services will be held 1 o'clock Friday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may he directed to the Parchment United Methodist Church. 269-343-1508 www.langelands.com. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/26/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.