Dorothy Ann Smith 1935-2021

Dorothy was born Jan. 10, 1935, in Biff County in Piper, Ala. She was the daughter of Olus and Lula Maude Hudson. She was the seventh of 10 children. Dorothy moved to Birmingham, Ala., at the age of 7.

She was christened at an early age at Allen Chapel AME Church. Growing up, she attended both Allen Chapel and Groveland Baptist Church because her mama was Methodist and her daddy was Baptist. She attended and graduated from Patterson Elementary School a year early because of her high academic performance. She attended and graduated from A.H. Parker High School in January 1952 at the age of 16.

She met and married the love of her life, Rueben, and they were married Sept. 21, 1951, and had a 68-year blessed union until Rueben went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 21, 2020. From this union they were blessed with seven children, two dying at birth.

Dorothy worked as an STNA at Sleighbell Nursing Home for 10 years and was a loving wife and homemaker to her husband Rueben and five children. She was a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church, where she served as deaconess and also the missionary board.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading and working crossword puzzles. She said they helped to keep her mind sharp, and boy, was she right. She also enjoyed going to casinos and eating at the buffets. She was also known for attending funeral services with her longtime friend, Bertha Tillis, where they would pass out peppermints and tissues to the mourners. She absolutely loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they absolutely adored their granny.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her baby sister Gwendolyn Lazard; two daughters, Yvonne Denise (Larry) of Youngstown and Tamara “Tammy” of Tampa; and one son, Russell of Huber Heights; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Richard, Gertrude (sister), Clinton Hopson, William (brother), Annie Bea, Hazel, Mabel, Leo, John, and her youngest brother, Donald, who transitioned also on Saturday, April 3, 2021; four children, Patricia K., Rueben Jr., daughter Runita Diane, son Michael Rueben; and grandsons, Derrick and Swan.

“I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4: 7-8.

Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Antioch Baptist Church, 110 Funston St., Youngstown, with a funeral service at 10 a.m. Guests are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Arrangements were entrusted to L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.

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