Doris Smith

Doris Ruth Coggeshall Smith went to be with her Lord on Monday, October 4, 2021 in her home surrounded by her children Autumn, Dan, and Shirley. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, January 4, 1924 to Edgar Coggeshall and Anna Kathryn “Katy” Delavan Coggeshall, and was the third of seven children. Her father worked in the family ice business in San Antonio, delivering ice in a horse-drawn wagon. Later the family purchased a sheep ranch and farm in Mountain Home, Texas where the children initially attended a one room school. Her household duty was making desserts and “Ruthie” frequently made her dad’s favorite gingerbread on a wood burning stove, then rode out into the fields on horseback to surprise her dad with his favorite treat. Later, they rented a house in Harper, Texas where they resided with their mother during the school year, going home to the farm to join their father on weekends and during the summer break. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Harper High School she attended business college in San Antonio, living with an aunt and uncle.

It was during this time that she met Harvey Daniel Smith, a Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps. They were married on March 9, 1943 at Big Spring Air Force Base (later re-named Webb Air Force base). The Smiths subsequently resided on several military bases including Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. While Lt. Smith was serving in the European Theater during World War II, Mrs. Smith lived with her husband’s parents, Joe and Johnnie Bunton in Marfa, Texas. It was there on March 8, 1944 that their first daughter, Shirley Kay, was born.

When Lt. Smith separated from the Army Air Corps, he attended medical school in Kansas City, Missouri. While completing his residency in Comanche, Texas, their son Harvey Daniel Smith, Jr. (Dan) was born on December 16, 1948. The family subsequently moved to El Paso in 1949 where Dr. Smith built Tigua General Hospital. On November 13, 1954 their daughter Robbin Lee was born. At the age of 21, daughter Robbin Lee [Gore] passed, leaving her infant child Autumn Annette, who was lovingly adopted and raised by Harvey and Doris. Following Dr. Smith’s death in 2001, Autumn has been Mrs. Smith’s constant companion and extraordinary caretaker until the end of her life.

The family was very active in Grace Methodist Church. Mrs. Smith was active in women’s groups and church activities while raising her children.

In her later years she enjoyed her home with daughter Autumn Annette Smith Carson and completed many beautiful quilts that are family heirlooms. She enjoyed reading, cooking and sewing and excelled in everything she did. She remained bright and alert until the very end, loving life and her family. Her sense of humor delighted all who knew her. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her daughter Robbin and her husband Harvey. She was the last survivor of her six siblings.

Her children include son Dan (and wife Judi) of Fresno, California, daughter Autumn (and husband Fred Carson) of El Paso, and daughter Shirley (and husband Mark Brock) of Buda, Texas. She has five grandchildren, John Wilson of Frankfurt, Germany; Brandon Wilson of Buda Texas; Jana Wilson of Fairfax, California; Amy Stern of Seattle, Washington; and Erin Zimmerman of Fresno, California. She has seven great-grandchildren, Robbin Hemperley of Tucson, Arizona; Kayla Wilson of Johannesburg, South Africa; Lily Wilson of Frankfurt, Germany; Gabriel, Ben and Max Esser of Fairfax, California; and Madison Zimmerman of Fresno, California. She also has several step grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

This 97-year-old matriarch will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved her.