Merle Allbright
Williamston, Michigan
Merle Allbright, age 96, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 10 in Sacramento, California, under the loving care of her granddaughter, Renee Allbright, a trained critical-care nurse. Ethel Merle Smith was born on a farm in Cohoctah Township, Livingston County, MI on August 9, 1913, the third daughter of Charles W. and Liva (LaRowe) Smith. She graduated from Byron High School, Byron, MI in 1930. She married Glenn H. Allbright (Rancher Glen) on June 1, 1933, to whom she was married for 65 years before Glenn passed away on November 8, 1998. They had two sons, Glenn D. (Mary Wire) Allbright of Rocklin, CA and Pastor Oliver H. (Marilyn) Allbright of Howell, MI. Merle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Bernice (O.L.) Allman and Grace (Kenneth) Henderson, and one brother, C. Eugene (Henrietta) Smith. Merle Smith Allbright was a public school teacher for 31 years in Howell and Williamston, having taught in both rural, one-room schools and in city schools. Merle received her BA in Education from Michigan State Normal and her MA in Special Ed from Michigan State University in 1963. Merle is survived by her two sons and their families including 5 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A multitude of wonderful friends also will remember her loving spirit and thoughtful ways. Merle taught Sunday School for many years at the Cohoctah United Brethren Church and served the Lord as a member of First Baptist Church of Williamston, for approximately 25 years. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, January 19, 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Williamston. The Reverends Desmond Bell and Danny Cavin will be officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Middle St, Williamston from 2-4 and 6-8 on Monday, January 18 and at the Church on Tuesday 1-hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Sanford Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Chase Lake Road in Livingston County. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 3185 N. Williamston Rd., Williamston, MI 48895 or to Calvary Bible Church, 1389 Elm St, PO Box 298, Cohoctah, MI 48816. www.gorslineruncimanfuneralhomes.com