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Dorothy C. (Smith) Best
Dorothy C. (Smith) Best of Clarklake passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at the age of 93.
Mrs. Best was a graduate of St. Mary High School and the daughter of Captain and Mrs. Richard F. Smith who was killed in WWI. American Legion Post 29 in Jackson is named in his honor. She was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church at Clarklake, the Rosary Society, the Women's Club and Amaranth Club of Jackson.
She was predeceased by her husband Theodore T. (Ted) Best and brothers, George, Richard and Robert Smith. She is survived by one brother-in-law, Dorman B. Bell of Bloomfield Hills, and two step brothers-in-law and their wives as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to her friends and the staff at Summit Park Assisted Living for their devoted care of Dorothy in recent years. In accordance with her wishes, Mrs. Best has been cremated.
A Memorial Service was held at St. Rita's Catholic Church at Clarklake on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lumen Christi High School or St. Rita's Parish. Arrangements by Desnoyer Funeral Home in Jackson, family owned for 114 years.
Jean (Brigance) (Ward) Thomas
Jean Thomas, born Beverly Jean Brigance, age 78, passed peacefully in her sleep from complications of Alzheimer's in Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 31, 2004. She was born March 6, 1926 in Flint, Mich. to William and Marguerite (McKeever) Brigance. She graduated from Flint Central High School in 1944. She married J. Warren Ward Feb. 14, 1948. She married Frank "Carter" Thomas March 15, 1980. Both husbands and both parents preceded her in death.
Jean worked many years as a Postal Clerk at Manitou Beach, Addison Products, Addison, and finally for the March of Dimes in Flint. After retirement she picked up her first paint brush and became an accomplished watercolor artist. Her life long love was music and theater. She played and taught piano, and was the choir director at the Congregational Church in Addison. She participated in community theater in Addison and the Clark Lake Players. She was an active member of the Irish Hills and Flint Sweet Adelines. After retirement, Jean and TX and step-son Michigan where she met and married G. Ronald Innes. Together they raised four children in Chicago. Dorothy and her husband moved to Tucson after Ron's retirement, where Dorothy continued to live after her husband's death in 1977.
Dorothy was a docent at the Desert Museum in Tucson for a number of years and continued to enjoy the desert and its inhabitants for the rest of her life. She was a dedicated member of an ongoing colored pencil art class, winning a ribbon at the Pima County Fair for one of her drawings. She was also a devoted volunteer for the food bank in Tucson until she came to live in Flagstaff at the age of 90. She will be dearly missed by her family, many friends and faithful elderly cat, Toby.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, Ron (Scotty) Innes of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Marcia (Dave) Lamkin of Flagstaff, Ariz., Norman (Jane) Innes of Seal Beach, Michigan State University with bachelors and masters degrees in accounting. He taught business, typing and accounting at East Jackson High School for 28 years before retiring in 1993. An avid painter and art enthusiast, Everett was treasurer of the Brooklyn Artists Club for over more than 16 years and chairman of the Brooklyn Arts and Crafts show during that time. He also wrote art and history columns for The Brooklyn Exponent.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice, 700 W. Ash St., Mason, MI, 48854. Arrangements are by Charles Burden and Sons, 1806 E. Michigan Masonic Lodge #209 and, before moving to Oregon; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a sister, Jean Perzyk of Waterford; brother, Robert (June) Clapham of Dunn Chapel, Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Onsted.
Dorothy Mae Gooding
Dorothy Mae Gooding of Tipton went to be with our Lord Oct. 16, 2004 at her residence. She was aged 69 years. Dorothy was a baptized member of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Adrian.
Dorothy was born to Max and Anna (Smith) Bickham on Sept. 7, 1935 in Tecumseh, Mich.. She lived with happy memories from her childhood growing up for a short time in Tecumseh and Canandaigua. She attended Onsted High School and graduated in 1953. As her children grew up, Dorothy was very active with the Tipton P.T.A. and was a Brownie Leader. She loved to attend local fish fries, travel and enjoy life. She lived in the Tipton community for 48 years.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; and brothers, Vernon Bennett and brother Donald Bickham.
She is survived by one brother, William (Arline) Bickham of Napoleon, Mich.; daughters, Debra (Arthur) Campbell of Adrian and Judith (David) Brown of Tipton; and by one son, Mitchell (Kristine) Gooding of Hudson; four grandchildren, Arthur James (AJ), John Michael (Mike), Lauren and Trenton; and also by a niece as close to a daughter as could be, Brenda (Joe) Barenscheer of Belleville and her loving fiancé William Dinse; by a sister-in-law, Carolyn (Hugh) Gooding of Onsted; and by many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 19, in the Calif., Tim and Teri Terrill of Colorado Springs, Col., Tina Terrill of Canton, Tory and Deannine Terrill of Tecumseh and Tona Lorenz of Romulus; 30 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
A celebration of Virginia's life was held on Saturday, October 16, at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Braun Chapel in Brooklyn and followed by a service held at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Reverend Arthur Mack officiating. Burial was at Somerset Center Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Angela Hospice in Livonia or All Saints Episcopal Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
