Minnie Viola Smith

Minnie Viola (Roby) Smith, 95, of Petoskey, Michigan passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2022.

Daughter of Carl and Carrie (Strong) Roby, Viola was born on August 12, 1926 in DeGraff, Ohio. She grew up and graduated high school in DeGraff.

In 1967, she married Alfred Smith in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Viola worked for Barn & Brother and Circuit Control as a manufacturing worker.

Viola and Alfred would travel to Florida and loved to spend their winters there for over 25 years. They enjoyed making friends and being apart of their retirement community.

She loved to do crafts, garden, and quilt. One of her favorite joys was picking and selling raspberries every year. She loved the special customers and visiting with them.

Viola was a loving, kind, caring mother that took care of her family. Taking care of her grandchildren was her life and caring for those closest to her.

She was a member of the Epsilon United Methodist Church in Petoskey, Michigan.

Viola is survived by her daughters Linda (Robert Krupa) Bavin of Petoskey, Jane Keller of Harbor Springs; her stepchildren: Albert Smith, Terry (Carol) Smith, Donna Shephard, and Dorothy (Ron) Fesh; her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her siblings Virginia Fergus and Orville Roby; and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband Luther Ray Neer in 1963; her husband Alfred Lee Smith in 2007; her sons-in-law Michael Bavin in 2007, and Dick Keller in 2020; her stepson-in-law Steve Shephard; and her siblings: Rosella Oder, Leana Elliot, Marcella Clement, Phyllis Hacker, Harold Roby, Paul Roby, and Walter Roby.

Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Viola’s memory are asked to consider the Epsilon United Methodist Church: 8251 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey, MI 49770.

A funeral for Viola will be officiated by Pastor David Huhtala at Stone Funeral Home on January 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc.

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