Marie Celestine Small, 72, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 28, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on November 22, 1944, the daughter of Zeria (Chapman) Henry.
Marie graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1962. She graduated with her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Kellogg Community College. She had a passion for children and she raised hundreds of foster kids over 45+ years. Her love for the kids shone bright on so many lives. She was a member of the New Harvest Christian Center, and she was working in the learning center there.
Marie is survived by her Husband Maceo Small Jr.; Daughters, Staci (Damon) Spivey-Ogletree, and Nakkita Hilliard; Son, Mark (Kim) Spivey; Grandchildren, NaKeisha (Kenesha) Watson, Edison Tyrone Brown, III, Timothy Brown, Torean Spivey, Markell Spivey, Marquis Spivey, Mikah Spivey, and Kaycee Spivey; Great-Granddaughter, Nyari Spivey and Step-Daughter, Christa Small; Mother; Zeria Henry; Sisters, Mary Louise Simmons, Maragret Hayes, Carolyn Henry, Charlene Lee, and Amina Guy; Brother, Issac Clark; Sister-in-laws, Delores (Willie) Huston, and Barbara (Marshall) Fisher; Brother-in-law, Kenneth Small; her Beloved dogs Dash and Buttons and a large host of honorary kids, grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other loving family. She was preceded in death by her Sister, LeeAnn Johnson.
Marie loved going to Sandy Pines. She enjoyed people and loved to entertain and cook for them. Her world was her kids though; she adored them and she loved to do activities with them and take them into her care. Her heart was gold and her love and memories will be forever cherished by the tons of lives she has touched through her years.