County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County

DEBBIE LEE SMITH

NOVEMBER 12, 1964 – DECEMBER 3, 2021

Posted

                Debbie Lee Smith 57 of Bay City, Michigan passed away at home on Friday, December 3, 2021 surrounded by her family. Debbie was born November 12, 1964 in Orange County, California, the daughter of Richard Hazen Cottrell and Carole Anne (Luce) Cottrell. Debbie graduated from Harrison High School, Harrison, Michigan in 1983.

                Debbie had resided in Bay City since 2018, moving from Midland and previously from Harrison. Ms. Smith was a cook at various restaurants throughout the area including: Shirlene’s Cuisine of Midland, Baymont Inn and Suites of Midland, Remedy Restaurant of Harrison, Snow Snake Truck Stop of Harrison and Holiday on the Lake, Houghton Lake, Michigan. Debbie enjoyed wrenching on cars, demolition derby races, attending mud bogs, riding quads and motorcycles cooking and making her famous No Bake Cookies.

                Surviving Debbie are her two children; Christopher Cottrell and wife Olivia of Owosso, Michigan and Shantell Smith and fiancé Glenn Vanous Jr. of Clare, Michigan, her grandchildren; Anabelle Vanous, Dale Cottrell, Madison Cottrell and Michaela Cottrell, her parents; Richard Hazen Cottrell of Harrison and Carole Anne Smith of Saratoga, Wyoming, her best friend and significant other, April Moore of Bay City, nine brothers and sisters, plus many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family members. Debbie was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Cottrell, step-mother, Edna Cottrell, one brother, Kenneth Smith and step-father, Boyd Smith.

                Life Celebration services for Ms. Smith will be held Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. from Harrison United Brethren Church, Harrison with Pastor Wendy Kindel officiating. To share an online memory or condolence with Debbie’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements for Debbie are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)530-7810.