Thurlan W. Smithers, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend went home to be with the Lord on Sunday July 1, 2012 from St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. He was born August 20, 1938 in Brooklyn, West Virginia to Charles P. and Ruth E. Smithers.
Thurlan W. Smithers (T.W.) was educated in West Virginia and relocated to Saginaw in 1970. He retired from General Motors Grey Iron Foundry in 2004 with 40.2 years of service. He was a member of the UAW Local 668. T.W. is known by many titles, especially the neighborhood Dad. His dynamic personality as a people person has earned him the distinction as the family historian and West Virginia communicator. He loves spiritual music, cars, especially his red truck and anything with the West Virginia name. But, the most important person in his life was his loving wife, Mary. T.W.s famous response to the question, Whats happening is Oh, I cant call it.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Mary; four children, Susan Jackson, Crestline, Ohio, Toni (Tarance) Smithers-Deas, Troy, Michigan, Steven Smithers, Saginaw, Michigan, Tonya Jackson, Columbus, Ohio; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Craig and JoAnn Walls both of Hyattsville, Maryland; four brothers, Raymond (Lorraine) Smithers, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Nolan (Earleen) Smithers and George Smithers (Mary West) all of Saginaw, Michigan, Kenneth (Tara) Smithers, Grand Rapids, Michigan; three sisters-in-law, Ruby (Anthony) Price, Montgomery, West Virginia, Veronica (Booker) Walker, Columbus, Ohio, Charlene Newkirk, Beards Fork, West Virginia; three brothers-in-law, Daniel Barrett, Triangle, Virginia, Don (Yvette) Barrett, Mt. Hope, West Virginia, Victor (Kay) Barrett, Clarksburg, West Virginia; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Bobby (Teenie) Fortune, Eddie Lawson, Lewis Bibbs, Odie Curruth, Abel Martin, Frank Barnett, Sammy Tate, James Banks, Ruben, Sam Baker, Woodrow Hood, Mitch & Tiny.
Thurlan was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alfred and Charles Francis, in-laws, Daniel and Roncie Barrett.
The family would like to express special thanks to neighbors, AlandNita McKenzie, Dr. Gary Brooks and his office staff, his spiritual advisor and friend Reverend Eddie Brown.
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