Melanie Carol Smith

Melanie Carol Smith, age 43, of Saginaw, formerly of Ashley, died Wednesday, October 28, at her home in Saginaw, with her family at her side.

Melanie was born April 28, 1972, in Lansing, the daughter of John Wesley and Carol Sue (Burkett) Denniston.  She graduated from Ashley High School in 1990.  She married Michael Edward Smith on April 18, 1992.

Melanie traveled with Mike as a Navy wife to many different bases, but always took an active role in the community life wherever they were located.  She served as a welcome mother for families just transferring onto the base and also coordinated letter writing campaigns for those who had been deployed and the letters coming back from the sailors.

Faith played a large role in her life, and she served the Lord within the church wherever she was.  Directing Kids Club was one of many capacities in which she served.

Family was very important, and she could be found volunteering in any capacity needed.  She was a football mom, a wrestling mom, and was recognized as the volunteer of the year at her son’s school.

Melanie was well connected, and loved using new technology to maintain relationships with her numerous friends throughout the world.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Mike; her sons, Derek (Brittany), Jeremy, and Daniel; her parents, John and Carol Denniston of Ashley; her grandmother, Beverly Pierce of Denver, CO; her brothers, Wes (Charity) Denniston of St. Johns and Jason (Mischele) Denniston of Columbia City, IN; her sister, Jen (Bryan) Moore of Ashley; her mother-in-law, Pauline Smith of Ovid; her brothers-in-law and sisters in-law, Dyleen Miller (Darell Lucier), Teresa (Russ) Ayers, Jack (Lindsey) Smith and Sara (Gary) Fender, all of Ovid; and many aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Marjorie Denniston; her father-in-law, Osmond Smith; her aunt, Becky Lyon; her uncle, Mark Burkett; her grandfather, George Burkett; and her Step grandfather, Loren Pierce.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 2, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca with Pastor Mike DeSelm  and Derek Smith officiating.  Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday at Barden Funeral Home.  Please, because of severe sensitivities, it is requested that no one wear perfumes, colognes, or other scents.