Dorothy Jean Smith

Dorothy J. Smith, 96, died on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 after a sudden, short illness at the inpatient Ohio Hospice of Miami County. She was born on April 8, 1928 to Samuel Vey and Lottie Mae (Staup) Moore. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Richard K. Smith; parents, brothers Floyd Moore of Tipp City, OH, and Leo Moore of Eltopia, WA, sisters Mary Seabrook Elliot, of Columbus, IN, and Anna Belle Furlong of Vandalia, OH and daughter, Vicki Bormes of Rogers, MN. 

She will be missed and remembered by her, son Allen (Sherry) of Tipp City, daughter Valeria Berry (Russ) of West Milton, eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter. She will also be missed by several loving nieces and nephews all across the country. 

Dorothy helped support her family early in her marriage by cleaning houses for several families over the years. Most often, she developed a close relationship with these families who welcomed her almost like one of their own. Her role of being a “domestic engineer” for four or five days a week for many years lasted until she was in her 90’s for one particular lady. She loved working outside at her home, taking care of many flower beds and looking after multiple cats and dogs. She always seemed to be busy doing one thing or another for her family. She had a special love for crocheting in which she would share her finished projects with family and friends. Dorothy was a member of the Brush Creek Church of God, just up the road from her home on Kessler-Frederick Rd. On June 6, 1948, Dorothy accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized by Pastor G. E. Marsh. She held several offices in the church over the years, as well as being a Sunday School children’s teacher. In the 1980’s, Dorothy supported her husband when he pastored a group of people who had started a small church in Hilliard, Ohio and needed someone to preach to them each Sunday. She also enjoyed attending church conferences, visiting sick church members and attending nearly all church services at Brush Creek. Dorothy Jean and her husband, Richard, who were married for nearly 77 years, loved to travel once he retired. They purchased an RV and traveled all over the country, more often than not, staying at the camp sites of Thousand Trails. She loved her family dearly and was very proud of the many accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She looked forward to the holidays when most would come home, or she and Richard would visit them during their summer trips. 

Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Brush Creek Church of God, West Milton, with Pastor Dale Swartz officiating. Interment will follow in Curtis Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home in West Milton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brush Creek Church of God or to the Ohio Hospice of Miami County. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hale-sarver.com.

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