Sharon L. Smith

Sharon L. Smith, 83, of Battle Creek, died June 23, 2021. She was born in Portland, Indiana on July 12, 1937 to Donald and Martha (Wyrick) Steed. She attended college in Elkhart, IN where she met Marvin Holstein. They married and moved to Battle Creek where they raised 5 children. The marriage ended in divorce and she later married William J. Smith, who passed away in 2008. She worked as a lab technician and later for Battle Creek Public Schools.

Sharon was a member of St. Timothy Church in Richland. She was a wonderful gardener and was known by family and friends for the beautiful gardens she created. She also enjoyed sports, square dancing and camping.

Growing up in rural Indiana her family was heavily involved in 4-H. Through 4-H they were introduced to the artist Norman Rockwell. He spent time with her family and even came for Sunday dinner. He painted them in a piece called "The County Agent" which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post July 24, 1948. Each one of her children has a framed copy of the painting hanging in their homes.

Sharon is survived by her children, Mark (Donna) Holstein, Debra (Paul) Egelkraut, Doug (Eleanor) Holstein, Alicia Seiverth and Kara (Brian) Canfield; 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and her sister, Jama Fuller. She was preceded in death by her husband William J. Smith, her parents, Donald and Martha Steed, her brother, Larry Steed and her daughter-in-law, Christine Holstein.

Funeral services to celebrate Sharon's life will be 12:00 pm Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 30th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter. Personal messages may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.