Gloria Sue Smith

Gloria Sue (Rutledge) Smith, age 92, of Pickford, Michigan, died in her home, reading a book by her favorite author, on April 6, 2023. She was born in Blairville, Michigan, on May 7, 1930, to Elmer and Gladys (Wise) Rutledge. Gloria grew up in Pickford and graduated from Pickford High School with the class of 1948. She recently told her daughter that her beloved husband of 64 years, Harry Leroy Smith, was the first boy to kiss her when she was 13. They reconnected when he returned from the army and they married on January 1, 1951, at the Pickford Presbyterian Church. Over the years, Gloria worked at Bud’s Market and Nixon’s Garage in Pickford before quitting work to raise their children. Gloria was a member of the Pickford Presbyterian Church and had previously taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible school. When she no longer taught Bible School, she continued to assist by doing crafts with the children. She was a member of the Presbyterian Woman and served as an officer in several positions. She was the President of the Munoscong Golf Course’s Wednesday Ladies League and for many years assisted Harry in performing the treasurer work for the course. She served on the Mackinac County Road Commission and had the distinction of being the first female Road Commissioner in the State of Michigan. Gloria enjoyed golfing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, oil painting, reading, and watching the game show network, especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Gloria is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Arlene King) Smith, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; Cindy Smith, of Pickford; son, Christopher (Judith Merrill-Smith) Smith of Sault Ste. Marie; grandson, Ross Smith of Peoria, Illinois.; sister-in-law, Mary Hessel; brother-in-law, Donald “Pete” Smith (Evelyn); and the children of her heart, the grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Arlene King. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Smith; parents Elmer and Gladys Rutledge; and brothers-in-law, Dewey (Greta) Smith, Albert (Mayme) Smith, Wilson Smith, Lyle (Anne) Smith, William J. (Adrienne) Smith, Elwin (Jane) Smith, John (Flora) Smith, Frank (Marcie) Smith, and Edward Hessel. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M at Galer Funeral Homes, in Pickford. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 P.M. The final resting place will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens, in Bruce Twp, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783, or to the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

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Gloria Sue Smith

May 7, 1930 - April 6, 2023