Dorothy A. Smith

Dorothy Ann Neuhardt Smith went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday January 19, 2013. She was born in Spencer, West Virginia on March 3, 1915. Dorothy was the oldest of three children of Harry Paul Neuhardt and Mary Ann Winborne Neuhardt, both deceased. She was married to James Trammell Smith on August 14, 1939. She and Jimmy lived in Midland, Texas for almost 43 years until he died on February 6, 1982. Dorothy was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Harry Paul Neuhardt II and Charles Henry Neuhardt.

Surviving Dorothy are her two daughters, Gwyneth Ann Smith Bohren, and Susan Marie Smith Hardie and her husband, Thornton Hardie III; her three grandchildren and their spouses, Robert Edwin Bohren and his wife Merrill, Sarah Marie Hardie Davis and her husband Gate, and Amy Winborne Hardie Peeples and her husband, Ray; her five great grandchildren, Catherine Bohren, Eleanor and Wiley Davis and Ada and Mary Win Peeples; and her sister-in-law, Billye Neuhardt and her two daughters, Katrina and Kerry Neuhardt.

Dorothy moved to Amarillo, Texas from Sistersville, West Virginia after 6th grade. She attended Amarillo Junior College where she was a cheerleader, and Texas Tech University from which she graduated in 1936. She then moved to Midland where she met her husband and lived until moving to Dallas in 1992.

In Midland, Dorothy served in numerous volunteer roles, including terms as president of the Midland Junior League and the Midland Women’s Club. She was a lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Most importantly, she loved the Lord. She was an active member at First Methodist Church in Midland, where she enjoyed being the wedding coordinator, and after her move to Dallas, at Highland Park Methodist Church, where she volunteered in the library, and later at Preston Hollow Methodist Church. She lived her Christian faith as a loving mother and grandmother, caring friend and active volunteer, including serving until she was in her early 90’s as the residents’ representative at Meadowstone Place in Dallas where she lived for many years. Nothing could be better for her than to spend time cooking, sewing and caring for her family and friends. Her chicken and dumplings were the best. And she expertly made every costume for her grandchildren and made, mended and altered clothing, drapes and anything else that could be sewed for anyone who asked. Dorothy was cheery and optimistic until the end. She loved her family and friends deeply and was loved by all. It was common for her family to hear from others that “Dorothy was my best friend.”

A graveside memorial service will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m.at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to all of Dorothy’s Meadowstone family and to all of the friends and staff at Caruth Haven Court who cared for her so lovingly the last few years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to High Sky Children’s Ranch, 8701 W. County Road 60, Midland, Texas 79707 or to a charity of choice.