Frances Marie Smith sadly passed away July 12, 2022, at her home after a short battle with CNS lymphoma. Francie was born December 9, 1955, in Bridgeton, New Jersey. She and her parents moved to Michigan shortly after, where Francie lived a full, loving, family-filled upbringing which included three younger siblings, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and 19 cousins.
Francie graduated from Pinckney High School in 1974 and graduated with honors with an associate degree in Business Administration from Tri-County Community College in 2002.
Francie was a “beautiful, gentle soul” who always thought of others, never forgetting a birthday or taking the time to call just to say hello. Francie’s life was full of adventures, including motorcycle trips, camping, owning and operating a t-shirt store and later a bait/tackle shop in North Carolina. Francie was a foster parent and often received Mother’s Day cards from her much loved foster son, John Phillips. In 2013, she moved to Huntsville, AL, to be close to her mother, Betty Behr, where she enjoyed swing dancing, line dancing, painting, travel, and any opportunity to enjoy life with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father: Jack Viars.
She is survived by her mother: Betty Behr; husband: Mark Smith; two sisters: Debbie (Dave) Vanatta and Lisa (Doug) Richardson; brother: Ronald (Jeorge) Emerson; niece: Michelle Martin; nephews: Brandon (Holly) Holliday and Aaron Richardson; great-niece: Shayla Chebbi; and great-nephews: Jordan Merlin, Ashton Holliday, and Angelo Holliday.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL 35805. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service.
