Michelle Leigh Smith

Michelle Leigh Smith, 50, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on May 21, 2019. Born on June 7, 1968, Michelle was the beloved middle sister of Stacey Marie Smith and Jason M. Smith and the cherished step-daughter of Eunice (Doll) Smith. Michelle was a gentle, and generous and favorite aunt of 3 nephews, Trey Smith, Ty Smith, and Mayfield Vashti-Roberts. Michelle is proceeded in death by her parents Heywood G. Smith and Evelyn M. Smith and grandmother Vashti Hill. Michelle is also survived by a large family of cousins in the Trimble tribe originating from Claiborne Parrish in Louisiana who have migrated to all parts of the United States. Michelle was also close to her Uncle Don Tremble and cousins Gene Bibbins and Stafford W. Trimble. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Michelle’s mother Evelyn fell in love with and married Heywood G. Smith. With her parents and big sister, Michelle were relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The place Michelle would call home until the day she transition. Michelle was an exceptional student making the honor roll every year through high school. She attended a myriad of primary schools including Stratmoore Hills Elementary, Immanuel Lutheran, Janitell Jr High, Lewis Palmer, and Mitchell High School where she graduated in the top 10% of her class in 1986. After graduation, Michelle would work at several places until she found her courage and inspiration to return to her quest for education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) where she would complete her Bachelor’s of Arts and Master’s of Arts in Sociology. She followed her first Masters with a second Masters in Therapy. Michelle established an expertise in sexual assault through her work with juvenile offenders from the age of 10-12. She gained a deep passion for supporting individuals who needed to make different choices in their own lives in order for them to live a life fulfilled with courage and humanity. This was the core of Michelle’s work. Known as “Smidge” in her professional life, Michelle L. Smith, loved working with clients through her position as an Alcohol and Drug Therapeutic Community Clinical Supervisor/Trainer Health Professional IV for the Colorado State Department of Corrections. Deeply loved and admired by inmate clients, the chemical dependency therapeutic committee, co-workers, and supervisors alike, Michelle approached her work with an uncanny gusto and commitment to lift the humanity of all those she encountered. Michelle live her life with no plans of departing anytime soon. She was a fiercely loyal sister who would go to the end of the world for Stacey and Jason. Michelle had plans to open a facility for young girls who were survivors of violence and who had chosen paths of violence to survive. Michelle wanted everyone to live their best life as she tried so hard to live her own. Celebration of Life is Thursday, May 30, 11a.m. at Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd. in Pueblo, CO.