Patty “Mimi” Fay Smith, age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at her residence in Hersey, MI.

Patty was born on May 11, 1944, in Clintwood, Virginia, to Delcie Fleming Sperow and Marshall Howard Sperow. From the very beginning, Patty was a woman with a heart made for loving others. Throughout her life, she gave that love freely and without condition, leaving an imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Patty married her beloved husband, Henry, at a young age, and together they had 5 children, and shared 47 years of marriage. She devoted her life to being a wife, mother, sister, aunt, and, later, Mamaw and Mimi—roles that were never simply titles to her, but the greatest joys of her life.

She had a gift for making people feel cared for, welcomed, and loved. She was the first person who stepped in when someone needed help, often before they ever had to ask. She was a caregiver to so many loved ones and that is something she will always be remembered for. Patty had a way of becoming a bonus mom or grandma to many. Her home, her kitchen, and her heart always seemed to have room for one more.

She adored babies, loved to cook, and she was happiest when she was feeding the people she loved. A meal prepared by her was never just a meal—it was an expression of love. She loved to laugh and had a feisty, spirited personality that made her unforgettable. She was faithful, strong-willed, sassy, and undeniably strong. To know her was to love her. 

Some of her happiest days were spent back home in Virginia, surrounded by family, playing poker around the table, a night at the casino, sipping on a cold Coke, or simply sitting among the people she loved most. She loved to sing, especially to her grandbabies, and even in her final days, that beautiful part of her remained. Her voice continued to bring comfort and love to those gathered around her.

But more than anything, Patty was proud of the life she created. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the greatest treasures of her life, each carrying a piece of her heart and giving her a thousand reasons to smile, worry, hope, and love. They were her pride and joys, her greatest blessings, and the legacy she held most dear. She loved them with a strength that never wavered, a devotion that knew no limits, and a fierceness that only she could explain. Patty was a devoted sister and aunt who treasured her siblings, nieces, and nephews, holding each of them close in her heart.

In her final days, she was able to remain in her home with Scott and April, just as she had been promised. She was surrounded by those who loved her until the very end. After a lifetime spent taking care of everyone else, she was now surrounded by the same love she had spent her entire life giving away.

Patty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry H. Smith; her parents, Delcie and Marshall; her siblings, Lewis, Adeline, Joe, James Kyle, Harold “Cotton”, Lydia “Kitty”, Shelby, Marshall Ellis, and Nancy “Sue”; her forever sister-in-law, Linda; her oldest son, Marshall “Mark” Smith; and her son-in-law, Mathew “Matt” Sunderlin.

She leaves behind her children, Tina Smith; Ronald “Ron” (Karen) Smith; Henry “Shane” (Billie-Jo) Smith; and April (Scott) Cole, along with her son-in-law, Mike Prater.

Her greatest legacy continues through her grandchildren, Michael “Mikey” (Priscilla) Prater, Matthew Prater, Jesse (Sarah) Prater, Heaven Parridgen, Layken (Blake) Stanley, Courtney (Matthew) Wentworth, Madison Sunderlin, Kayla (Chris) Panek, Mathew “Brady” Sunderlin, his partner Simon Barry, Delilah Sunderlin, Shyanna Smith, Dustin Smith, and Taylor Smith; and her great-grandchildren, Deklan Prater, Lillibelle “Lilli” Prater, Cole Wentworth, Avery Stanley, Mila Prater, Lane Prater, Bentley Wentworth, Waylon Ringler, and Blakley Panek.

She is survived by her siblings, Norman (Sue) Sperow, Peggy “Pete” Turner and Darrell,  Roger (Eileen) Sperow, her partner in crime Donna Switzer, as well as hundreds of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

Patty leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind a family shaped by her unconditional love.

Patty spent her life loving others in the most beautiful and meaningful ways. She was the one who showed up, who cared deeply, who made sure no one went hungry, who could make you laugh when you needed it most, and who filled the room with her voice and her songs. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, valued, and loved.

Her absence will leave an ache in the hearts of so many, because Patty was woven into the lives of the people she loved in ways that can never be undone. The space she leaves behind can never truly be filled, but the love she gave so generously will never be lost. It lives on in the hearts of her children, in the laughter of her grandchildren, in the lives of her great-grandchildren, and in every person who was fortunate enough to be loved by her. She truly was an angel. 

And now, after a lifetime of loving and caring for everyone else, she gets to rest.

Perhaps Dolly Parton said it best:

“I will always love you.”

And that is what she leaves behind—a love that will never end.