Felicia Vanburen

On July 9, 1957, a beautiful 5lbs. 6oz. baby girl was born to Garnell Smith Sr. and Carrie Jean Todd. This little girl was born at Saginaw General Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan and they named her Felicia Renee' Smith. Sixty-two years later on January 11, 2020, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and dear friend was suddenly called home to be with the Lord. She passed away at St. Mary's Hospital. She had been admitted and was recovering from a minor surgery when things took a turn for the worse.

Felicia graduated from Saginaw High School, “Class of 1974.” She traveled to Missouri where she resided for about two years before traveling on to Cleveland, Ohio where she resided for several years. During that time, Felicia had two handsome sons. She eventually moved back to Saginaw and married Clifford VanBuren on November 20, 1980. Two beautiful girls were born from that union and the couple later parted ways.

Felicia was devoted to her faith and she and her children attended church regularly at Community Temple Church of God in Christ, where she was a devoted member for over twenty-five years. She held the position of Assistant Church Mother.

Felicia had several jobs but had dreams of becoming a nurse. When she was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to go on dialysis, her dreams were cut short. Felicia was on dialysis for over thirty years and was in and out of the hospital many times. She had many brushes with death and once spent six months in ICU at Covenant before recuperating at a nursing home. Through it all, she always tried to manage a smile for you and stayed true to her faith.

Felicia was humble, kind and full of love and grace. Her strength was unwavering, no matter what obstacles she had to overcome. She was always ready for the fight. Her body might have been deteriorating but her brain and her mind were solid as a rock and she never let you forget it. Even though Felicia had many health issues, she relied heavily on her faith in God to see her through. Her favorite saying was, "Don't count me out yet I am not done fighting." Felicia, after years of fighting, too tired and beaten to keep going, finally finished her fight. She will forever be remembered for her strength, faith, and her will to keep pushing through when all the odds were stacked against her.

Felicia was preceded in death by her parents, Garnell Smith Sr. and Carrie Jean Todd; granddaughter, Mi'Angel Riche; mother and father-in-law, Cleta and Calvin VanBuren.

She will truly be missed by her two sons, Donald Richardson, Las Vegas, Nevada, Andrew Smith, North Carolina; two daughters, Taneka VanBuren, Saginaw, Michigan, Zleta VanBuren, Tampa Florida; grandchildren, Daniel Hill, Summersky Richardson, Torrion Long, Nodia Westendorf, Donnavon Richardson, Julian Smith, Sierra Richardson, Jasmine Smith, Jalen Smith, Jourdan Smith, and Damon Richardson; three great-grandchildren, Sebastian Long, Sayirah Harry and Malachi Potts; three brothers, Robert Todd “Bobby”, Jessie Donald and Garnell Smith Jr., both of Saginaw, Michigan; twin sisters, Monica and Melinda Smith, both of Michigan; stepmother, Daisy Smith; godsister, Felita (Ray) Jackson Simms, whom she lovingly called “Sissy Poo”; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including spiritual sisters Joyce Lewis, Delena Smith, Debra Jackson and Ann Abby Thomas.

View Funeral Webcast