Mary Alice Smith-Stokes

Mary Alice (Reighard) Smith-Stokes, 74, of Battle Creek died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Mary was born in Rhode Island on December 12, 1944 the daughter of Robert and Josephine Reighard. She grew up in Coldwater, Michigan since childhood and was a graduate of St. Charles Catholic School. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Siena Heights University. Mary retired from the Kellogg Company Corporate World Headquarters where she was employed in numerous areas over her career. Prior to Kellogg's, Mary was employed for the USDA. For most of her working career she also taught basket weaving, through her company "Tisket-A-Tasket". She was a master basket weaver, published globally and taught classes locally, in Japan and internationally.

Mary was formerly married to Thomas James Smith, II. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald Merlin Stokes on March 24, 2016. Surviving are her daughter, Kathleen Kelly (Mark Edward Zehner) Smith of Warsaw, IN; her son, Thomas Smith of Battle Creek; three stepsons; Kevin Stokes of Battle Creek, Scott (Curtis Whitaker) Stokes of Kalamazoo, Danny Stokes of Pennsylvania; one sister, Dorothy (Calvin) Pope of Coldwater; one brother, Thomas (Linda) Reighard of Fowlerville; a sister-in-law, Lori Farr of Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and their families and her friend and companion, Robert Hegerberg. In addition to her husband, Mary was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Patricia and Kathy Reighard and a brother, John Reighard.

Mary has been a member a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1981, where she has volunteered on the funeral luncheon committee, helping with Christmas decorations, gardening, working on Superfest among other activities. Mary loved beaches, the ocean, traveling, turtles, and anything chocolate. She also volunteered in the Charitable Union Retail Store, was an avid recycler and also known as the "Basket Lady". Mary will be remembered as a loving and amazing mother, nurturing and caring sister, and a friend everyone wanted to have.

Friends will be received 5:00 - 7:00 pm Thursday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church by Reverend Christopher Ankley 10:00 am Friday, September 6, 2019. A committal service will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tuition assistance for St. Joseph Elementary Students, 61 N. 23rd Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or The Charitable Union, 85 Calhoun Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.