Muriel Elaine Carmichael

Muriel Elaine (Smith) Carmichael, age 84, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, on June 15, 2026.

Muriel was born on January 3, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, to Herbert and Mildred (Johnson) Smith. Her parents had immigrated from London, England, to Detroit in the late 1920s, where they built a life and raised their family. Muriel grew up in Detroit and graduated from Redford High School in 1960 before continuing her education at Michigan State University. She later made her home in Battle Creek, where she built a career defined by dedication and service. She worked for many years at the Federal Center in downtown Battle Creek and later served as a loan officer with the USDA until her retirement in 2005.

While Muriel took great pride in her work, her greatest joy was always her family. She had a generous heart and a quiet strength that touched everyone who knew her. She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, searching for the perfect bargain, and creating simple moments of happiness with those she loved most.

Muriel was the very definition of selflessness. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to provide a loving and stable home for her children, William and Alicia, teaching them through her example the values of hard work, compassion, and perseverance. She never hesitated to put the needs of others before her own. Her kindness extended beyond people to the animals she adored; she rarely turned away a stray dog or cat that found its way to her doorstep, often opening both her home and her heart without hesitation.

More than anything, Muriel will be remembered for the love she gave so freely. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Her family was her pride and purpose, and the memories they shared with her—the laughter, the traditions carried over from her English parents, the conversations, and the unwavering support—will remain treasured gifts in their hearts forever.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Henry Smith and Mildred Alice (Johnson) Smith; her sister, Mabel Smith; her brother-in-law, Robert Smith; her sister-in-law, Betty Smith; and her beloved grandson, Brendan Carmichael.

She is survived by her brother, Donald Smith; her sister, Mildred (Charles) Webster; her brother, William (Maureen) Smith; her son, William (Heather) Carmichael; her daughter, Alicia (Christopher) Youngs; her stepsons, Robert (Ronda) Carmichael and Nello (Kelly) Carmichael; her grandchildren, Benjamin, Cecilia, Calib, Abigail (Seth), Aliya (Jacob), Megan, William, Gibson, Lillian, and Graydon; and her great-grandchildren, Noah, Theodore, Delilah, and Juno.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2026 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home where a memorial service celebrating Muriel's life will begin at 12:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek.  In honor of Muriel's lifelong love for animals, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.