Bonetta Lee Smith

Bonetta Lee Wesenberg Smith was born to Alonzo and Ruby (Litwiller) Wesenberg on June 2, 1939, at Alma, Michigan. She departed this life on May 13, 2024, at Maple View Retirement Community. She traveled the pathway of life three weeks short of 85 years.

At the age of seven, a baby sister joined their family, which was a special blessing.

She was converted at age eleven and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on March 16, 1951, by her uncle, Minister Glenn Litwiller. She strove to be faithful to the end.

Bonetta grew up in the Ithaca, Michigan, community. She enjoyed helping her dad in the field driving tractor. Later she worked as a nurse.

She enjoyed traveling and had the special privilege of going to the Holy Land twice!

After her mother married Lee Holdeman in 1982, she lived with them, spending the winters in Louisiana and summers in Michigan for several years. This enlarged her family circle and brought many enjoyable and interesting times.

On April 15, 1990, she was married to our dad, Arnold Smith at Deridder, Louisiana. Less than two and a half years after their marriage, Dad had a severe stroke which left him disabled. She cared for him at home which we as a family greatly appreciated. Later she was able to care for her mother who lived with them.

Bonetta was a generous person. She loved flowers and gave away many bouquets of her roses. She was very hospitable and found it a blessing to have her table surrounded for a good meal and fellowship. She also enjoyed taking pizza and cake and spending the evening with different ones in the congregation.

A meaningful Bible verse to her was “The people which sat in darkness saw great light.” Matthew 4:16a.

Those left to cherish fond memories are her sister, Sandra Evertte; nephews, Jareth Hiebert and Jason Hiebert of Atmore, Alabama; two step-sons, Duane and Dianne Smith, Donald and Geneva Smith; one step-daughter Linda and Galen Nightingale all of DeRidder, LA.; 12 step-grandchildren; 42 step-great grandchildren; three step-sisters, Marilyn and Robert Smith, Joy and Chester Smith, Rosemary and Joe Decker; two step sisters-in-law, Tracy Holdeman, Joyce Holdeman; four step-brothers, Adin and Delores, Arlyn and Ann, Tim and Aldene, Daniel and Mary; and numerous step-nephews and nieces and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother, stepfather, three stepbrothers, one stepsister, and one brother-in-law.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at the Newark Mennonite Church with Ministers Michael Litwiller, Darin Litwiller, and Chester Esau officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 3 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the Maple View Retirement Community and from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Newark Church. Interment will be in the North Greenwood cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in Bonetta’s memory to Maple View Retirement Community, 4396 S. Luce Road, Ithaca, Michigan 48847.