Mrs. Dorothy Jean Washington Smith

Mrs. Dorothy Jean Washington Smith passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at the age of 77.  She passed away peacefully at home with her husband by her side.  Dorothy was the second oldest of seven born to the late Lloyd (Sr.) and Minnie Pearl Washington.

Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age. She became a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church, of Hope, Arkansas, where she served diligently for years.

She graduated from Henry C. Yerger High School in 1961, then a few years later, Philander Smith College in Little Rock, where she joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

With high expectations for her students, Dorothy happily taught school in the Clow community, then at Lincoln High School in Washington, Arkansas.  Later, she began working at the Arkansas Employment Security Division in Hope, Arkansas.

Dorothy met Edward Lee Smith. The two were joined in marriage on December 24, 1967.  Dorothy “Jean” and Edward “Smith” made a vow before God and men to love and care for each other until death. That vow was lovingly fulfilled for 53 + years.  The two stood by each other’s side in service to God, family, community, and each other to the very end.  From this union was born Felicia Renee (Larry), Reon Michelle, Eddra J’Lynne (Rodney), Edward Lee II (Yolanda), and Christopher Derrell.

Dorothy was a very active member and officer of Hope’s Black Community Development and Historical Society, as well as, a member of the Hope Chapter of the NAACP.  Dorothy and Edward opened “The Care House” to provide basic necessities for daily living to anyone who needed them.

Dorothy Jean Washington Smith leaves a host of family and friends to cherish her memory.  She leaves her loving husband, five children, six grandchildren, four siblings, a host of nieces, nephews, adopted family members, former students, friends, and the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church members where she served as First Lady.

Services will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 11:00 am at Scott-Giles Memorial Cemetery on Patmos Road.  Visitation will be Monday, August 24 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.