Obituary of Dixie Lee Smith

Dixie Lee Smith, age 77, passed away peacefully at her Dundee home surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday; September 11th, 2024. She had been under the care of Heartland Hospice. A woman of faith and service, Dixie touched many lives with her compassion and kindness, especially her two amazing children, Lennie Marie Alcorn of Monroe, Michigan and Rev. Mark Lawrence Smith of Winnipeg, Canada, and her two loving granddaughters: Alexis and Chandler Long. As a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Britton, Michigan, Dixie devoted her God-given gifts to serving her Church and community in a variety of ways. She particularly treasured being a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and her congregation’s Altar Guild each for more than a decade.

The daughter of Lawrence and Lennie (Baldwin) Day, Dixie was born on March 22, 1947, at

Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Michigan, and was baptized on March 26th, 1961, at the First Congregational Church of Dundee, Michigan. She attended Dundee Community Schools, graduating from Dundee High School with the Class of 1965. Dixie worked in various places over the years, including the University of Michigan, La-Z-Boy, and American General Life Insurance (AIG). She loved traveling and visiting with family and friends, sharing her Christian faith, and helping those in need. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her two children; two grandchildren; her cousin Audrey “Kay” Smith, who was like a sister to Dixie; her cousin Ryan Joe Smith of Monroe; a host of cousins in Tennessee; and her dear Church family and friends.

She will lie in state from 12:00pm until 1:00pm on Wednesday; September 18, 2024, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church; 9950 Ridge Highway, Britton, Michigan 49229. A Funeral Service will take place at 1:00pm with Reverend David McCarty, Pastor of the church officiating. A procession will follow to Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee for burial. Friends are invited to a Celebration of Her Life at 3:30pm at the Old Mill Banquet Hall; 242 Toledo Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131. Her care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156.

Memorial contributions for those who desire are suggested to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.