Cheryl Anne Smith

Munising

Cheryl Anne Smith, age 74, of Munising and formerly of Sterling Heights, died early Wednesday morning, June 25, 2025, at UPHS in Marquette following a bravely fought five-year battle with cancer, fiercely determined to never give up hope for a cure.

Cheryl was born in Ocala, Florida on March 20, 1951, to Jack and Barbara (Hefner) Chaffin. When she was five years old, the family moved to Taylor, Michigan. Cheryl met her high school sweetheart, Lewis Smith, while a student at Adelphian Academy in Holly, Michigan. She graduated as the valedictorian from Adelphian in 1969. Immediately after graduation she attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs for a year. Cheryl and Lew were married on June 22, 1970 and together lovingly raised their two children, Patty and Brandon.

She was a full-time mom for a few years and then entered the workforce. She discovered her passion for bookkeeping and accounting which eventually led her to becoming the Accounting Manager at Modern Handling Equipment Company in Madison Heights. She went back to school and received her associates degree from Macomb Community College and then her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Walsh College in 1984 with her family proudly cheering her on in the audience. Cheryl was pleased that she successfully passed the CPA exam on the first try with flying colors. She ventured into a private accounting practice after leaving Modern Handling and continued to maintain several clients over the years even in retirement. She loved accounting and tax preparations so much that she continued completing several tax returns despite the cancer treatments that were wearing down her body.

Before retiring to Munising, she enjoyed bowling on a league with the “Bats,” the name her group of older friends lovingly coined whenever they got together. After retirement Cheryl continued to meet up with the “Bats” including an annual trip to Vegas for gambling, shows, and having fun. Whenever she ventured down to the lower peninsula she would meet up with this special group of friends.

Cheryl loved to travel, which may have originated in the many road trips she took as a child with her parents and siblings between Michigan and Florida (learning the exploits of Captain Toledo during one trip, only to discover that his adventures originated out of their father’s active imagination). Cheryl especially loved traveling with Lew. Their adventures took them several places including multiple trips to Europe where they visited many countries, museums, castles, and churches; they cruised the Mediterranean and the Rhine; and they traveled to all 50 states, including a road trip in their pickup truck through Canada to Alaska. She also visited Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji with her step-mother, Bobbie. Cheryl’s favorite vacation was the three-week road trip out west with Lew and the kids when they were old enough to appreciate it. She enjoyed the seat-of-their-pants, let-the-road-take-us-where-it-will adventure. Many landmarks and states were checked off on that trip including the Badlands, panning for gold in the Black Hills, Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone, the family’s first visit to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, hiking into the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and many more.

Cheryl loved world and U.S. history. She had a voracious appetite for books spanning the spectrum from history to the classics, mysteries to romances, and fantasy. She never stopped learning, yet she was humble about her intelligence. Her family bragged more about her than she did about herself. Most were in awe regarding her ability to answer even the most obscure Jeopardy questions. She was also especially good at geography, loved looking at maps, and her family relied on her for spelling and pronunciation. Cheryl enjoyed singing, dancing, listening to music, playing games, and sharing stories. Additionally, Cheryl was an avid sports fan, cheering for all the major Detroit sports teams as well as any university in Michigan (but mostly the University of Michigan thanks to her kids). She adopted the Green Bay Packers after moving to the U.P. but was a diehard Lions fan. During retirement Cheryl enjoyed watching the birds on their property, especially the hummingbirds who were very well fed. Cheryl was a generous supporter of several charities and was also quick to help friends or family in need without question or hesitation (and many times “just because”). Cheryl’s love for friends and family was unconditional.

Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Cheryl lived for her family.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years – Lewis Smith of Munising; daughter and son-in-law – Patty and Matt Baird of Pittsfield Township, MI; son and daughter-in-law – Brandon and Sonia Smith of Pleasanton, CA; grandchildren – Jacob, Sophia, and Natalie Smith and Caleb and Rebekah Baird; brothers – Chip (Julee) Chaffin of Boise, ID and Joe (Bev) Chaffin of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister – Debbie (David) Bergman of Orlando, FL; stepmother – Bobbie Chaffin of Longwood, FL; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Cheryl was preceded in death by her father Jack Chaffin and her mother Barbara Chaffin.

No public services will be held.

Please look below at photo gallery of Cheryl with her family and friends.