Dorrie Smith

Dorothy B. Smith passed peacefully away Sunday night November 6, 2011, at age 89. Known to all her family and many, many friends as Dorrie, her passing ended a brief but significant physical downturn. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband William, and her son-in-law, Bill Barton. She will be remembered by all for her sparkle, vivaciousness, her engagement of life itself, and the way she deeply influenced everyone around her.

Dorothy was born in Marquez, TX to Robert and Lula Brand and met her only love at the age of 14. She and William E. Smith were married when she was 18. After WWII, they came to Austin where she supported William's studies and graduation from the University of Texas, and upon his employment, they moved to Beaumont. In the early 1960's, the family moved back to Austin where she has since resided. She graduated from Beaumont High School, Lamar College, and received her Master of Library Science degree from the University of Texas. Though she retired from A.I.S.D. many years ago, until her last day she considered herself a "children's" librarian. Dorothy was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma honorary societies and received many awards and recognitions for her work. She was a founding member of UT SAGE. She loved learning, reading, the Longhorns, and talking with all. Dorrie traveled the world and immensely enjoyed meeting and seeing all the peoples and far flung parts of the globe.

She is survived by her son Wilson Smith and his wife Elyse, daughter Lurinda Barnwell and her husband Chal, grandson Loren Smith, granddaughters Tamika Smith, Erin Jupe, Megan Freeman and their young boys. She will be dearly missed by us all.

Dorothy will lie in state at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar commencing at 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 until 8:00 P.M. A memorial service is scheduled at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin at 12:00 Noon Thursday, November 10, 2011 followed by a graveside burial service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont on Friday November 11, 2011 at 11:00 A.M.

Memorials honoring her life and service may be made directly to Galindo Elementary School Library, 3800 S. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas, 78704.