Euarlene Smith Obituary

Mrs. Euarlene Jenkins Smith, 78, of Redford Township, MI formerly of Rives died Friday, June 6, 2025.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Miles Chapel Church.

A memorial visitation will begin at noon on Saturday at the church.

We, the family of our dear Euarlene Smith, take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of the dash that sits between the years of her earthly existence.  We understand that that dash represents the time Euarlene spent here and how she used the time God, in his mercy, gave to her.  We honor her for the love and devotion she displayed for God, her family and her community.  

Euarlene Smith was born on December 30, 1946, the eldest child of Ual (Coley) and Bernice (Friday) Fingers Jenkins in Rives, Tennessee. She grew to be a beacon of love, inspiration and guidance to her community and her six siblings.  At an early age, she professed her belief in Jesus and became a member of Bashon Baptist Church in Rives, TN.  Jim Bar, her great-grandfather, often took her to the area’s black churches where she would sing for the Lord.  Her aunt Helen Kizer provided her with dressy clothes and shoes to wear to these events.  Her love of the Lord was also evident first in Nashville, Tennessee and then in Detroit, Michigan where she moved to in 1970.  In Detroit, she found her second church home, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. H.R. Ramsey.  Her dedication to service resulted in her wearing many hats, each one a testament to her limitless energy, love and commitment.  The titles she carried included minister, deaconess, missionary, nurse, and trustee.  Often, she was asked to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies at various church functions and at family reunions.  She was awarded her certificate of license to become a missionary by Elder Rozelle Dotstry on December 25, 2005. On May 1, 2019, she was ordained as a minister of the gospel by Elder Dotstry and her brother Pastor Paul Jenkins.

Euarlene matriculated through the Rosenwald School System for her elementary and middle school years.  She attended the ninth and tenth grades at Miles High School in Union City, Tennessee where she enjoyed being a majorette.  In 1963 she was one of the Tenacious Seven to integrate Obion County Central High School, which paved the way for her siblings and blazed the way for the future generations of the Jenkins family.  She broke barriers by singing in the school Glee Club.  After high school, Euarlene attended Mid-South Medical Academy and became a lab technician in Nashville.  She was a member of the Woman’s Army Corp (WAC) and received an honorable discharge when her duties ended.  Upon moving to Detroit, she worked at Henry Ford Hospital.  She retired from the Detroit Board of Education, where she worked as a special education bus attendant, office supervisor and union board representative.  

Euarlene was united in holy matrimony with Eugene Smith who in 1973 preceded her in death.  To this union one child was born—Meoshia.

Always of service to the community, Euarlene was an active member and secretary of the John Eberhart Community Choir from 1963 until her transition. The choir traveled around the world, from Rives to Germany.  The JECC made several records and cd’s.  She was a faithful member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and president of the Widow to Widow Club.  She worked in several soup kitchens, volunteered in the Detroit election polling places during the Obama and Clinton administrations, and visited hospitals to pray for the patients from her church and the neighborhood.  She had a passion for dolls.  She curated a stunning collection of over 500 dolls, received as treasured gifts from family and friends, as well as acquired through her own pursuits.

Euarlene moved from this earthly home to her heavenly home on June 6th at 4:30 am.   She peacefully transitioned in the arms of her daughter Meoshia, surrounded by her loving family.

Euarlene is survived by her daughter Meoshia Lata Smith-Bogins of Redford, MI, three sisters-Nora Nichols (Charles), West Memphis, AR, Sherry Davis and Deborah Lockwood, Rives, TN; two brothers—Perry (Geraldine) and Paul (Gloria) Jenkins, Rives, TN, and sister-in-law Rinda Jenkins Union City, TN.  She leaves to cherish her memory three cousins she grew up with—Janet Callicutt Dotstry, Union City, TN, Betty Mayberry Brock, Union City, TN, and Loretta Tate, Jackson, TN, a special friend, Marvin King, Detroit, MI, her sister girl/cousin C. Hope Smith, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Ingrid Wilcox, Albany, GA and God-daughter Tina Waller, Detroit, MI and last, but not least, her grand-doggies Prince and Palmer.  She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene, her brother Raymond Jenkins, brother-in-law Linwood Davis and a best friend Leila Griggs.

As we reminisce on her life, we see evidence it was filled with faith, family and friends.  Not only did she talk the talk, Euarlene walked the walk on her Christian journey.  If you knew Euarlene, you knew she loved the Lord, and you knew she was completely committed to fulfilling her purpose.  Her motto was “May the work I’ve done speak for me.” Her life was defined by generosity, grace, and a commitment to excellence that will not end, for she touched countless lives. She had a big heart and never met a stranger.  A name can mean many things. It can evoke emotions, carry stories and become a bridge between generations. A name is a lasting legacy.  Her legacy will continue to live in all of us. Thank you Euarlene, you will be remembered as: Child of God, Mama, Sister, Aunt, Great-aunt, Wife, Widow, Cousin, Sister-in law, Prayer Warrior, Planner, Singer, Dancer, Ms. Lady, Foxy Mama, Eula, Erlene, and Mrs. Smith.

We are thankful for the ancestors planting the tree.

REST WELL  

McPhearson-Rawls Funeral Home - Union City 731-885-8110