Maria "Maggie" Smyth

Maria M. "Maggie" Smyth, 96, of Battle Creek, died Thursday, December 28, 2017. Maggie was born September 2, 1921 in Raguhn, Germany to Hermann and Hildegard (Elben) Richter.
Maggie married Rothwell "Smitty" Smyth in 1956 in Germany. Later that year the couple moved to the United States. While still in Germany, Maggie worked as a bookkeeper at the town hall in her hometown before escaping to West Germany. She then worked as a bookkeeper in Munich for the American Air Force. After moving to the United States, she worked at Leila Hospital and for Paymaster. She retired in 1983.
Maggie was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Y Center and the German Club in Battle Creek. She enjoyed oil painting, traveling and gardening.
Maggie is survived by her daughter, Sharan Mays; two grandsons, Chris Allen and Ben Mays and four great-grandchildren.
Maggie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rothwell in 1992.
There will be a visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A graveside service to celebrate Maggie's life will be held 2:30 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Brad Hubbard. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Humane Society of SW Michigan. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.