Boo Smith

Beulah "Boo" Smith, 82, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly but of natural causes on May 10, 2023, at her home. While those who love her are heartbroken, they celebrate her being in the heavenly presence of God and find peace in the knowledge that they will one day be together again.
She was born to the late Raymond and Myrtle (Gray) Howard on September 27, 1940, in Portland, Oregon. She grew up simply, in her large family that included eight siblings.
On February 16, 1961, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Portland. Just over a week after finishing her three-year enlistment, Boo wed Thomas Smith at a ceremony at the Naval Air Station-North Island in San Diego, California on February 22, 1964. Together they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. Just hours before her passing, Boo gave her beloved Tom one last birthday card.
After being discharged from the U.S. Navy, Boo worked for many years as a secretary at Brandywine Elementary School until retirement. Boo was an avid reader and a patron of the Niles District Library; she had an immense passion for literacy, always encouraging children to read. She quickly became a champion for children's literacy and children's advocacy. She never missed an opportunity to supply books to students, replace lost library books or find a winter coat for a child in need. She instilled a love of reading in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by gifting them books at any opportunity.
Soon after retiring from Brandywine in 2003, she quickly returned to work part-time to support Merritt Elementary's need for a librarian. As her family says, she just could not stay away from Brandywine. The relationships she made in the decades she worked for Brandywine were some of the most meaningful in her life. Some of the happiest times of her life were enjoyed with these ladies at their monthly retiree lunches.
Boo found her relationship with the Lord after her granddaughter Katelyn encouraged both of her grandparents to join her in attending Hope Community Church in Niles. They were among the early attenders, dating back to when parishioners still gathered for service at Ring Lardner Middle School. She received the sacrament of baptism alongside Katelyn and was a faithful member until her passing, even serving as a deaconess. She was a passionate volunteer and was an integral part in starting Hope's community outreach program now known as "Hot Meal and Hope," a collaboration with other local churches to offer meals to those in need. She recruited volunteers, cooked, and served meals and saw the program grow substantially.
In her free time, she enjoyed flower gardening and was a member of the Niles Garden Club. She valued the friendships she made and loved attending meetings and trips with the club. She also played on a bowling league and was part of a winning team in the Niles City Championship. She was a Detroit Tigers superfan and could share not only the names of every player, but their stats as well. She loved all things chocolate, the color green, attending craft fairs and butter pecan ice cream.
Boo's passion for giving was only outweighed by her humility, and she was recognized for this servant leadership multiple times. In 2014, Boo was nominated as an Unsung Hero in Leader Publications' Horizons magazine, and in 2015, she received a Hometown Hero Award from the South Bend Tribune. In addition to this public recognition, all who knew Boo loved her, and knew she loved them without judgment in return. She was her daughters' greatest cheerleader and grandchildren's number one fan, attending every possible concert, musical or game.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Eugene Gray, Raymond Howard, John Howard, William Howard, James Howard, Barbara Brace, and Carol Howard.
Boo leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Thomas Smith of Niles; her daughters, Brooks Baker of Grand Rapids and April Short of Niles; grandchildren, Katelyn Short (Susan George) of Granger, Madison (Avery) O'Brien of Caledonia, James and Nicholas Baker of Caledonia; great-grandchildren, Baker and Greta O'Brien, and Aaliyah and Taegan George; her sister, Sharon Allen of Oregon; a sister-in-law, Judy Howard of Kansas; Thomas' siblings, Barbara Utter of Grand Blanc, Sue (Dick) Harger of Niles and Catherine Mace of Buchanan, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and countless hearts she has touched.
Funeral services to celebrate Boo's life will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Hope Community Church on Lake Street in Niles with a time of visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the funeral by the U.S. Navy.
Memorial contributions may be made in Boo's memory to Merritt Elementary School Library, 1620 Lasalle Ave., Niles, Michigan 49120, or to Niles Garden Club, 333 N. Second St., Niles, Michigan 49120.
Memories of Boo may be left for her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.