Antoinette Parent, affectionately known as Mama or Toni, passed away on October 24, 2024 in her residence in Smithville surrounded by her loved ones.

Born to her parents, the late John and Veronica Swistak Pilot and raised in Detroit Michigan she graduated from Saint Hedwig High School. She, as well as her mother “Lou” shared a strong passion for Christ. As a divorced, single mother, she raised her two children with love and compassion and instilled in them to follow the Lord and be Christ like.

Toni loved to attend “Ministering HIS Love” prayer groups and retreats at Saint Mary’s Academy in Monroe, Michigan, where little did she know she would meet the love of her life Jeffrey in 1982. They built a beautiful friendship that was never forgotten and in 1994 she married her soulmate and best friend at Saint Hedwig Catholic Church in Detroit, MI. They shared their passion for Christ and together they sang in the choir. She enjoyed camping, cooking & baking, enjoying the sun & spending time with family and friends.

In 2015 she moved to Smithville Tennessee to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She attended both Saint Gregory‘s Catholic Church in Smithville Tennessee and Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church in McMinnville Tennessee where she along with her husband sang in the choir. She had such a love for animals, she absolutely loved her cat “Buddy” you could find her laying down with her cat snuggled up on top of her. She loved to sing, to read and collect recipes and church bulletins to read for later, she enjoyed sitting in the shade while “supervising” her husband to do yard work. Whether they were going for walks or going for rides, they were inseparable, wherever he was she was right next to him.

She looked forward to having a “girl’s day” every week with her daughter. Spending precious time and doing things that brought her great joy like exercising, walking, shopping, going to her favorite restaurants, coloring, or watching movies together.  She enjoyed being helpful. She loved to be in the kitchen to help whether it was cooking or baking. She loved to dance in the middle of the kitchen with her daughter, just being together made her so happy.

She loved to spend time with her family at all family events, and recently she celebrated her 80th birthday party with her family and friends, where she danced and listened to songs that brought her joy. Creating precious memories.

Her gentle spirit would touch anyone that she met. Wherever she went, she left people in awe of her sweet, beautiful smile and angelic, soft voice. She was the perfect example of God‘s grace. No matter what was going on in her life, she would share her sweet smile with you and left anyone that she met with the feelings of pure love and peace.

According to scripture, angels are in harmony with the desires of Jesus Christ to bring salvation to people's lives. If ever there was a perfect example of a peaceful, gentle angel on earth she was that and more. “Our world is now dimmer, but the heavens are indeed brighter and lovelier than ever”

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Jeffrey Parent of Smithville; daughter, Lynn (Christopher) McCoy of Smithville; son, Dwayne Stephens of Michigan; grandchildren, Christopher (Victoria) McCoy, Jr., Andrew (Courtney) McCoy, Brandon McCoy, Alyssa McCoy and Cameron McCoy; great-grandchildren, Jayden McCoy, Mary Claire O’Grady; sister, Roberta (Thomas) Norman; cousins, Judy Cook and Linda Hancock.

Funeral service was conducted Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Father Bala officiating and burial followed in DeKalb Cemetery. The family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer Association, in memory of Mrs. Parent.

Pallbearers included Dwayne Stephens, Christopher McCoy, Jr., Andrew McCoy, Brandon McCoy, Rich McCoy, and Larry Mellor.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.