Corajean L Smiley

Corajean L. Smiley, 82, passed to God's eternal care at home in Athens, Ga. on September 14, 2023 and was laid to rest on September 21, 2023.

Corajean  was born June 21, 1941, in St. John, KS, the daughter and youngest child of Henry Blackwood and Florence Wright Blackwood.  In less than a year her mother died, and shortly thereafter Corajean was adopted as the only child of Allen Lintecum and Arline Grady Lintecum.  Her parents moved to Longview, WA, where she attended the public schools and graduated from R. A. Long High School in 1959.  She attended Wheaton College, IL for two years, then transferred to Seattle Pacific College, where she met the love of her life, Stephen Smiley.  They both graduated in 1964 and were married on June 26, 1964.

Corajean and Stephen moved to Madison, WI, to pursue graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Library Science.  Stephen accepted a position in the Department of History at Spring Arbor, MI, in 1969, and during their time there two sons were born to them, David and Kendall.  After taking time out to raise her children, Corajean worked as a reference librarian at Spring Arbor.  She became an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Jackson, MI.  For a number of years she volunteered with the Jackson County Council on Aging to provide meal service and transportation to medical appointments for seniors..  After their retirement the couple relocated to Athens, GA, where they joined Redeemer Presbyterian Church.  Corajean enjoyed reading, gardening, and traveling throughout the United States and Europe.  She was an accomplished pianist.

Corajean is survived byStephen, her husband of 59 years, son Kendall of Athens, GA,,  son David and daughter-in-law Kathy, of Mohnton, PA, three beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Caleb and Hannah Smiley, her sister Twila Cunningham (Dick) and brother Carl Blackwood (Marcia).  She was preceded in death by her birth parents and adoptive parents, brothers Junior Blackwood, Dwayne Blackwood, and Dale Blackwood, and sisters Louise Blackwood, Fern Sublette, Lois Wing, Alta Tweed and Della Chrissman.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 30 at Lord and Stephens, East Chapel at 2:00 p.m.

Lord and Stephens EAST, Athens, GA is in charge of funeral arrangements.