Tammy Smith

Tammy Jo (Miller) Smith, known to all as Tammy, filled the world with laughter and love from the moment she arrived in Cadillac, MI, on February 28, 1964, until she took her final, peaceful bow in Grand Rapids, MI, on September 29, 2024. Her journey through life was one of joy, resilience, and a spirited refusal to ever take things too seriously, a trait that made her loved by so many.

Tammy’s family was her pride and joy. She was the adored daughter of Robert Miller Sr. and the late Marilyn (Soles) Miller. She shined as the sister to Crystal (Tom) Johnson, Robert (Heidi) Miller Jr., and Jodie (Perry) Thompson. But perhaps her most cherished roles were as the unstoppable mother to Michael (Jessica) Smith and Debra Smith, and as the world’s coolest grandma to Kahlayah, Skyler, Arya, Jack, and Ellie. And let’s not forget the twinkle in her eye when she spoke of her forthcoming great grandchild! Even her special furbaby, Munchkin, knew he’d hit the jackpot when he landed in Tammy’s fun-filled home.

Tammy’s life was a tapestry of friendships and family, with special friends Randy Frye and Kenny Sutton, and a whole host of others who she wrapped into her extended family circle. She had a knack for making everyone feel like they belonged, and her laughter was the glue that held them all together.

A proud graduate of Cadillac High School, Tammy’s work ethic was as strong as her sense of humor. She was an excellent assembly worker, a farmer who could out-plant anyone, a trapper who could outwit the craftiest of critters, and a hunter with a heart of gold. Her colleagues not only respected her for her skills but adored her for her ability to turn any workday into an episode of a sitcom.

Tammy’s passions were as unique and full of character as she was. If country music was playing, you could bet Tammy was at least tapping a foot. Her talents in taxidermy turned the ‘roadkill of the day’ into everlasting memories, and her skills meant that her family always had the

best-handcrafted gifts. She was horse crazy, a mushroom-picking maestro and the undeniable life of every family gathering.

Saying Tammy was faith-filled, optimistic, and spirited is like saying a tornado is just a bit of wind—true, but hardly enough to capture the full force of her nature. She faced life, and even pancreatic cancer, with a smile and a joke, reminding us all to find the humor in every situation. As she would often say to her medical team, “ I’ll leave the medicine up to you, and the rest up to God!” Tammy lived by the belief that laughter was the best medicine, and she prescribed it generously. Her zest for life was infectious, and her legacy is one of joy, laughter, and love. Her memory will be carried on in the stories shared, the music played, and the lives she touched. She left the world as she lived in it—a bright, shining light, a source of comfort, and a beacon of joy. While she may have taken her final curtain call, the memories of her performance in the great stage play of life will continue to bring smiles to faces for years to come. Thank you, Tammy, for teaching us to laugh, love, and live with our whole hearts!

A Celebration of Life will be held October 19th, from Noon to 1:30, at the Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene, on West M55, in Cadillac, MI. A Luncheon will be provided.