Dorothy Mae Smith

January 5, 1921 – May 31, 2019



In her 98 years on this earth, this woman lived through an incredibly diverse and changing world. Born Dorothy Mae Ashworth in Onalaska Texas, the ninth of ten children to Minnie Cecil Thornton, she grew up in a hard-scrabble existence. Too poor to realize there was a Great Depression, Dorothy and her siblings learned early on to be self-reliant and provide for themselves. This early independence proved to be a mold which she used throughout her life to nurture five future generations of descendants. Dorothy’s intense maternal instinct was first applied with the upbringing of her younger sister- Cecile (Maxine)- born 8 years her junior. Dorothy assisted in the raising of her sister as their mother was already of advanced age (having bore 10 children over the course of 28 years). This experience prepared her for her own early encounter with motherhood. Married to L.D. (Pop) Smith at age 16, Dorothy was raising her own 2 children- L.D., Jr (Buddy) and Esther by age 18. Mothering came naturally to her, as later she would provide care for her granddaughters and even great-grandchildren. This devotion would establish her as the perennial matriarch of the family so much so that she was simply referred to as “Mom” by the entire family. Her incredible dedication to family was demonstrated each and every holiday as she prepared and hosted feasts for family and friends (often exceeding 25 attendees) for over 40 years . Her genuine love and affection made everyone feel special whether each Holiday and always or their birthday. Fiercely independent, she lived out her later years on her own back in her hometown of Onalaska, dominating the “42” table at the Seniors’ Center and lunching with her close friends. This amazing woman’s influence is evidenced by the 4 generations of descendants she is survived by: two children, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

We should all aspire to leave such a lasting impression as she did.