DOROTHY MAE OWENS SMITH

 "BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF A CARING HEART" 

DOROTHY SMITH, 80 of Little Rock, transitioned July 15 while in Anna, Texas. 

Dorothy Mae Owens, opened her eyes and a beautiful smile observing bright lights  in a bright room on January 13th, 1944 to the late Fred Sr. and Azzie Lee Owens. Dorothy had a childhood friend named Sybil Jordan, who remained as a lifetime friend even up to her passing. 

She attended Capitol Hill Elementary School which was approximately located at 1010 Wolfe Street where the Jesse Powell Towers Senior Citizen Living Building is currently located. Later, going to Dunbar Junior High School, graduating from Horace Mann High School in the Class of 1962. Then to Capitol City Business College, then finally answering the call to enter the ministry of caring for others as she attended and graduated from the Baptist Medical Center School of Nursing as an LPN.  She was employed with BMC for a number of years, later transferring to be employed by the Veterans Administration Hospitals where she retired after 20+ years.

In 1965, Dorothy met Wendell Smith and married him in 1968 and stayed as a devoted wife and mother for 55 years. Wendell preceded her in death on December 2nd 2023. She lived a very prosperous life, as her brother described. She was a rescuer because she rescued him from a fight. Motherly, because she took care of him and took him to work with her to the Gym Theatre and allowed him to watch movies and eat popcorn while Muddear went to work in the Heights. She was a caregiver to her brother Robert "Shugg" who was confined to a wheelchair, and later to her mom Azzie Lee "Muddear" until her passing. She  also acted as a secretary and legal advisor for her mother. 

Dorothy was very economical and could squeeze  a dime out of a penny. Very creative, even to the point that some of her creations i.e. cutting rolls of paper towels into quarters making a roll stretch, even before  Bounty thought about it.  She loved shopping for clothes and jewelry, she was very compassionate. She found joy in donating to various organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN., The Compassion Center on Roosevelt Road in Little Rock. She loved her friends; Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, Gloria Stubblefield and Connie Hampton are just a few of her friends.

Some of the other things in life that she enjoyed and looked forward to doing was, watching the Gaithers Gospel Hour, Mahalia Jackson, travelling, cooking for the family, watching Channel 4 news, sports, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and other game shows. She and daddy loved drinking Cokes and eating Almond Joy, Mounds, Snickers and many other forms of junk foods.  Her favorite song was "One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus," she adored angels and butterflies. 

From her children; daddy was blessed to have a virtuous woman named DOROTHY MAE OWENS SMITH (aka by D'Mae is what he referred to her by) by his side through the good and the bad. As mom  said "sometimes the good outweighed the bad and vice versa." Both of them would say teeth and tongue may fall out, but will stick together as long as they can stay in the mouth."  Meaning, NO MATTER WHAT, STICK TOGETHER, LOVE EACH OTHER, AND FOR GOD SAKE, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL WE HAVE IS EACH OTHER!" 

Mama enjoyed the simple things in life, such as an ice cream cone from McDonalds, strolling through a vintage store with excitement, meeting new relatives and friends with her niece, Carolyn Hervey. She was a true woman of courage and strength. She completed her assignment of being faithful in providing guidance and unconditional love to her husband and children.

Mom would encourage us to pull our money together in the event of a family emergency. She would have biblical scriptures posted around their house to always remind all who stepped into their home to embrace God's presence. She always told us to bless your food before eating it, because you don't know who touched it.

You mom was the best person in our lives and an excellent caregiver to all who crossed your path in need of help. you knew that we needed true love and guidance, you were amazing. We are what we are, because of YOU. You were brave, fearless, loving and kind.

Mother, you fought a good fight and you kept the faith, now take your rest. Preceded in death by her parents, siblings; Fred Jr., Robert "Shugg", Mable, husband; Wendell, daughters; Dawn Elise, Hilma and a very special cousin Walter James, special nieces; Sharon, Carolyn, Jackie and a great host of other relatives and friends. Too many to number

She leaves to cherish her unfailing love: children; Terrylynn Smith, Rev. Wendell (Eljean) Smith, Nickie Smith, Minister Pamela Smith Mathews, Minister Penny (Melvin) Potts, Rev. Dr. Rosalyn Smith Brookins, Kelly (Shirley) Smith and Anitra Smith, one brother; Tauheed (Shedra) Rashad, a special cousin Renee Bynum and a great host of relatives and friends.

You will ALWAYS have a place in our hearts. We will always love you and daddy forever! We will forever miss y'all. May God keep the rest of us together "Until we meet again."

For more information, sign online guest register, send flowers/cards/condolences/photos and light an "In Loving Memory Of" candle WWW.KELLYSMITHFUNERALS.COM

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