Vernetta Y. Smith

Vernetta Y. Smith, Age 68, of Romulus, MI passed away June 11, 2019.

Vernetta Yvonne Smith, (affectionately known to family and friends as Netta) was born on October 10, 1950 in South Bend, Indiana to the union of Beulah and Osceola Green. She was one of nine children to this union.  Netta accepted Christ at an early age at First A.M.E. Zion across the street from her family's home.

Netta attended South Bend School Cooperation. She graduated from John Adams High School in 1969. After high school, Netta attended Western Michigan University studying education receiving Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in mathematics in 1974.  She received her Master’s Degree in education from the University of Michigan.

Netta was joined in holy matrimony with George W. Smith Jr in 1975 where they settled in Romulus Michigan. From this union three children were born, Kai Yvonne, Kamille Aisha and Karron Jasmine.

Netta started her teaching career in South Bend, IN. After marriage she continued her teaching career with Detroit Public Schools where she taught middle school math for 35 years.  During her career she coached groups of students in math for Academic Games where students from diverse backgrounds would come to progress academically and socially through a structured competitive tournament setting having their knowledge tested on various subjects.  Netta was also host to and attended multiple math related workshops.

After retiring from the Detroit Public School system, she enjoyed playing card games such as nickel me, spades, bid whist. She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles as well as completing Sudoku puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Netta enjoyed going to the gym, traveling, attending jazz concerts, and going to the casino. She was an avid bargain shopper especially on Black Friday at 3:00AM. She was a great cook but it wasn't her favorite thing. She loved family gathering Christmas especially. She would shower everyone who walked through the door with Christmas gifts.  In 2017 she felt the call to serve her community.  She became a Romulus City Police Reserve, being inducted in the spring of 2017.

Netta departed this life on June 11, 2019.   Preceding her in death are her mother Beulah and father Osceola, Sister Patricia (Donald) Wallace, brothers Thomas Green and Richard (Connie) Green.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her husband George W. Smith Jr; children Kai Yvonne (Gary) Grosse of Windsor, Canada,  Kamille Aisha Smith of Romulus, Karron (Nigel) Walker of Westland; two sisters Jacqueline (Stanley) Thompson of Chicago Illinois, Karen Green; three brothers Bernard (Birdie) Green, Dennis Green, Keith Green, all of South Bend Indiana; five grandchildren Edward Grosse, Kingsley Grosse, Elise Grosse, Klariesse Grosse, E’Naya Walker; sister-in-laws Pamela Smith, Carmen Boyd; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.