Obituary of Doris R. Smith
Age 98, of Clio, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024, with her family by her side. A graveside gathering will take place at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Doris’ family at martinfuneralhome.com.
Doris was born in Flint, on July 28, 1925, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Everett and Florence (Lindsay) Cornell. Educated locally, Doris graduated from Mt. Morris High School with the Class of 1943, where she enjoyed playing the saxophone in the marching band. After high school, Doris would continue her education at GMI and also Michigan State University in their business program. While she was in college, she continued her love of the saxophone and piano in the marching band as well as had a beautiful singing voice. Doris worked for General Motors Institute (GMI) as an accountant and secretary as well as worked at Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in Flint. Doris met her first husband, Robert Montague and the two were united in marriage on June 19, 1947. Their union was blessed with six children. Sadly, Robert preceded her in death. She then met S. George Postma and they were united in marriage on June 26, 1997. The two of them moved to Oregon where they played for several churches, Doris on her saxophone accompanied by George on the piano. Sadly, he preceded her in death on January 4, 2003. She then met and married Harry Smith on November 26, 2007, and sadly, he preceded her in death on May 24, 2008. Doris was a longtime member of Calvary Bible Church and also a church in Oregon. She enjoyed teaching children about Jesus and held a 5-day children’s evangelism club out of her home. Doris enjoyed traveling and was blessed to have seen most of Michigan with her favorite parts being the fall color tour, “Frankie”muth, and camping every summer. Doris used to enjoy walking or roller-skating everywhere she went. Eating coney’s and butter pecan ice cream were some of her fondest memories. Doris had the most amazing flower beds that her daughter designed for her. She loved all flowers, but especially the “dinner plate” delias, and lilacs. In her free time, she enjoyed painting and crocheting. Doris loved her family and was a wonderful, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish Doris’ memory are her children: Mary Edwards and husband, Ronald Freitas, John and wife, Deborah Montague, Gary and wife, Paula Montague, Brenda and husband, Jim Popovich; grandchildren: Gregg, Ryan, Marcy, Kimberly, Timothy, Jennifer, Cynthia, Jason, Katie, Daniel, Robert, Emily, Anna, Elliana, Brian, Scott, Kevin, Stephen, Mark; great-grandchildren: Jessica, Jennifer, Kalista, Felicity, Gabriel, Caleb, Zachery, Abigail, Isaac, Isabella, Isaac, Gavin, Madison, Landen, Callie, baby boy Uhl; great-great-grandchildren: Addalynn, Ava, Aubree, Landon, Bentley, Mason; several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Montague, second husband, S. George Postma, third husband, Harry Smith; her parents; daughter, Barbara Montague, and son, Dale Montague; granddaughter, Christine Daniels; brother, Richard Cornell.