Denise Inez Smith

Denise was born in Detroit, Michigan to Dolores (née Horn) and Daniel Levine Spigner. Early in her childhood, her paternal grandmother, Margaret Spigner became her primary caregiver and instilled in her the importance of education. She graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1969, and despite losing her father in that same year, became the first person in her family to attend college.

She began her studies in psychology at Michigan State University and was inducted into the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She briefly interrupted her studies to begin a family, giving birth to a daughter, Lisa Spigner. She later married Charles Dickerson, and from that union, produced a son, Charles Dickerson, Jr. She resumed her studies at Wayne State University, completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. In 1982, Denise married her second husband, John Smith, and gave birth to her third child, Johnathan Smith.

At the start of her career, Denise held positions in a variety of fields until she found her calling in social work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in 1987. She continued her pursuit of education and successfully completed a Master of Social Work degree while working full-time and raising a family. After 32 years of service to the state of Michigan, she retired as a Foster Care Worker in 2018.

After her retirement, Denise enjoyed traveling with her adult children for a brief time before her health declined. She enjoyed reading murder mysteries, taking weekly shopping trips, doting on her pet bulldog Jax, and following politics. She was known for being supportive of her children and outspoken in her opinions up to the time of her passing.

Denise was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, John Smith; her mother, Delores Dukett; father, Daniel Spigner; and brother, James Spigner.

She is survived by her children, Lisa Spigner, Charles Dickerson, Jr., and Johnathan Smith; grandchildren, Tatyana Dickerson, Briana Dickerson, and Halle Dickerson; brother, David Spigner; sister, Mary Fleenary; uncle, Timothy Horn; stepsister, Sonya Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also will be missed by her many former co-workers and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022. Family & visitation hours are 4-7 p.m., the funeral will commence at 7 p.m. The location will be D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI 48093.

Those wishing to contribute in Denise’s name are asked to consider donating to local children’s charities.