Sally Jean Smith, 80 of Portage MI, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 24, 2020. Sally was born at home near Niles, MI on March 4, 1939. She is the fourth daughter of Howard and Sarah “Sally” (Toombs) Woodall. Sally has five surviving sisters; Margaret “Peggy” Kuratko, Betty (Duane) Lucas, Helen Woodall, Karen Joan Woodall, and Judy (Ron) Stiteler. Sally grew up working on the family farm and she graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1957. Sally married Dale “Benny” Benthin in January of 1961 and together had three children; Tammi Michaels, Marty (Laurie) Benthin, and Susan Vincent. Later in life Sally married James E. Smith on Thanksgiving weekend of 1989. Sally’s family grew at that time to include Jim’s children; Tom (Sue) Smith, Carol Smith, and Susan Smith (George Flentke). As time passed Sally also welcomed into her ever-growing family 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Sally was known to be an avid gardener and loved everything outdoors. Sally was also known to have traveled a lot in her life among the 50 states with Benny and to several countries abroad with Jim. Sally learned how to ski at the age of 50 and also in more recent years wintered in Donna, TX. Sally is preceded in death by her parents, her former husband Benny, and husband Jim. Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 4-7pm at Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society at 5975 Lovers Ln, Portage, MI 49002. There will also be a visitation 1 hour prior to the 11am service on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the same location. After the burial at South Portage Cemetery there will be a luncheon at Schoolcraft United Methodist Church at 352 N Grand St. in Schoolcraft. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to the American Heart Association. Please visit Sally’s webpage to leave a memory for the family. www.avinkcremation.com. (269)344-5600.
