Dorothy Louise Smith

December 3, 1945 - October 15, 2017

12/03/1945 - 10/15/2017

Past Services

Visitation
Friday October 27, 2017
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Chesapeake Chapel
929 Battlefield Blvd S
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 482-3311 | Directions
Service
Friday October 27, 2017
2:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Chesapeake Chapel
929 Battlefield Blvd S
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 482-3311 | Directions

Dorothy “Dottie” Louise Smith, 71, passed after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday, October 15, 2017 in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Dottie was born on December 3, 1945, in Paris, Texas to the late James Harley and Lucille Willis Sanders, and was raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  She attended Central State University where she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority.  She earned a teaching degree in 1968 and a Master of Education in 1973.
She married her sweetheart, Stephen Smith, on 16 March 1968.  As a proud Army wife, Dottie followed Steve around the world for 31 years.  She shared her love of learning through teaching in various schools in Oklahoma, Maryland, North Carolina, Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) in Germany and culminating her career at Great Bridge High School.  She was a long-time member of Great Bridge Baptist Church.
Dottie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  Her fondest memories were vacations spent surrounded by her family and longtime family friends, the Mannings, in beautiful Heiligenblut, Austria.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 49 years, Stephen F. Smith; children, Stephen F. Smith, Jr. (Laura) of Sandy, UT; Whitney S. Smith of Meridian, ID; Kelly A. Smith of Atlanta, GA; and Craig P. Smith (Tara) of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Madeline, McCoy, Nicholas, Sutton, Sophie and Luke; and a host of other family and friends.
The family will receive friends on October 27, 2017 from 1 pm until 2 pm with a memorial service to follow at 2 pm at the Altmeyer Funeral Home Chesapeake Chapel, 929 Battlefield Boulevard South, Chesapeake, Virginia with Pastor William Langford officiating.  Burial will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.  The family would like to express their sincere thanks to all her kind and compassionate caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care and to the nurses of Westminster-Canterbury Hospice for their outstanding support.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.TMCFunding.com.  Condolences to the family can be expressed at www.altmeyerfh.com.
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Judy Croom Griffith
6 years ago

High school, roommates in college and being in my wedding are memories we will always share. Picking you up for school in that pink and grey Pontiac took a lot of courage! Love ❤️

Kelly Smith
6 years ago

My mother, Dottie, was the kindest person I have ever known. More importantly- the funniest woman I have ever known. She was compassionate, caring, and absolutely witty. She was strong in her role as a mother , raising all four of us to be independent while teaching us to laugh whenever possible. She never seemed to judge and always had the best advice. I have missed her dearly and hope that her struggle with this disease is for a bigger purpose. When she told me she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I could not believe it. I told her to get a third, fourth, fifth opinion because it seemed ridiculous at her age. She was so strong in her faith that she said calmly “God does not give me anything I can’t handle”. And that was it- she was the best. I love you Mom and I know you are making everyone laugh in Heaven.

Michele
6 years ago

I have so many memories of Aunt Dottie, but, there is one memory that makes me think of her EVERY day. The kids and I were at her house visiting for a few days. As usual our trip was filled with laughter and love. Uncle Steve had made a delicious dinner (as always) and Aunt Dottie and I were doing the dishes. I was in charge of washing and she was in charge of drying. As I was washing the dishes I caught her looking at me funny. I asked if I was doing something wrong and she said, ‘NO. I have just never seen anyone wash dishes with a paper towel like I do.’ It was in that moment that we discovered that we both had such a loathe for sponges. We talked for a few minutes to decide if we were killing the environment with so much paper towel use. We decided we probably were but looked at each other and decided we didn’t really care. We would NOT use a sponge. So, Aunt Dottie, each night when I am washing my dishes with a paper towel (to put them in the dishwasher – I learned that from you too) I think fondly and lovingly of you. I love you and my entire Smith family to bits.

Kathleen Holroyd
6 years ago

I can’t think about my Aunt Dottie without giggling. So many fun and happy memories with her and my “cousins” through the years. We were always laughing together. Whether it be watching Craig fall asleep in his spaghetti or listening to my mom and Dottie laughing at a kitchen table over some private joke. I am still in awe over the fact that she didn’t disown Whitney and I after our never-ending shenanigans. She was kind, super smart, hilarious and the very best friend to my mom. We will miss her here, but look forward to the day we will all be together again. So much love to the Smiths and all who loved her.

Theresa Manning
6 years ago

I have many fond memories of time spent with my Aunt Dottie, but what sticks out the most are the countless hours she would spend with me over the phone explaining Algebra problems that I couldn’t figure out. My Aunt Dottie had a heart of gold, and after a day full of teaching kids, she would spend her free time helping me. I am forever indebted to her, as the success she helped me find in math led me to becoming a math teacher myself. Whenever my students and nieces/nephews need extra help, I think back to what my Aunt Dottie did for me and pay the kindness forward. She inspired me, and I am forever grateful. I love and miss you Aunt Dottie, and look forward to the day we reunite in heaven. To the entire Smith clan–they say you can’t choose your family, but we are proof otherwise. I love all of you so much and will continue praying for you during this difficult time. I’m here for you always.

Amy Manning
6 years ago

Memories of Dottie have permeated my mind and heart these past few days. Whether we were singlehandedly destroying a cross-country ski path (accidently, of course) or watching family members drop like flies from food poisoning (she swore it was my fault), we could always find humor in everything. Her smile, laughter and friendship will stay with me and sustain me. Bob and I will always love Dottie, and her family will be our family forever. We love you all and our hearts are breaking for you and for us.