Chara Maria (Smith) Marshall

Now in the presence of the Lord, Ms. Chara Maria (Smith) Marshall left her earthly tabernacle and went home on Saturday, June 28, 2025. She was born November 1, 1961, in Bay City, Michigan, to Delores B. And Willie Frank Smith.

Chara, a resident of Bay City, Michigan, attended Bay City Public Schools and was a graduate of Bay City Central High School, Class of 1980. She dedicated her life to Christ at an early age and was a devoted Christian and member of the Historic Second Baptist Church of Bay City, Michigan. Previous church affiliations include Calvary Grace Faith Temple and Harvest Worship Center in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Newer Dimensions Fellowship Ministries in Carrollton, Michigan. Chara enjoyed singing; she spent many years singing professionally with the gospel group, Prayed Up. She was also a member of a women's fellowship group, The Daughters of Zion.  Spending time with family and watching TV were among her favorite things to do. Always displaying a positive outlook, Chara always greeted everyone with a smile. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Chara leaves cherished memories with her daughters, Charanda (Carl) Whittaker, and Tabitha Marshall; her sons, Stephen and Jasper Marshall; grandchildren, Ceorentea Bowens, Eric D. and Icsyss Marshall, Atlanta, Georgia, and Gabriela Marshall of Virginia, Marshawn, Desmond and Samuel Whittaker, St. Louis, Missouri, Savion Marshall, and Navir Cleveland, Bay City, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Josiah, Zoie and Kartier Bowens, Atlanta, Georgia; sisters, Tammy Kinsley, and Dawn Elder, Saginaw, Michigan, Charity Smith, Bay City, Michigan; brothers, Gailan Smith, Battle Creek, Michigan, Brian Smith, Saginaw, Michigan, Garwood Smith and Tyler Sager, Bay City, Michigan; nieces, Marisa Smith-Histed, Victoria Smith, and Tenniah Burney, Bay City, Michigan, Yolanda, Mecca, and Promise Smith, Amarillo, Texas, and Charnice Kinsley, Saginaw, Michigan; nephews, Kendall Spengler, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Devon Spengler, Marshall, Michigan, Ricky Henderson, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Macio Henderson, Trenton and Reinaldo Smith, Devante and Treavion Kinsley, all of Bay City, Michigan; Chara also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Tina Dawson, Brenda Taylor, Tanya Gudger, Dr. Felicia Smith-Carney, Doreen Lowe, Beverly West, Rhonda Stevens, and Donna Sullivan.

Chara was preceded in death by one son, Eric K. Marshall; her father, Willie Frank Smith; two sisters, Pranda and Shelly Smith; and three brothers, Kevin, Kendall, and Garwood Smith.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, visits, and kindness during our bereavement. We extend special thanks to Pastor Marcelle T. Smith, Lady Jennifer Smith, and the Historic Second Baptist Church family, Ivan E. Phillips and the staff at Paradise Funeral Chapel.