Dorothie Mae (Black) Smith

Dorothie Mae (Black) Smith, age 97, of Palmyra, MO, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Machesney Park, IL on October 17, 2023. 

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Dorothie was born on October 21, 1925, in Hannibal, Missouri the daughter of Marvell and Verna Mae (Treaster) Black. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers; Avery, Henry and Robert and her sisters; Helen, Alice, Sharon, Patricia, Geneva and Shirley.

She was united in marriage to Joseph Smith on December 31, 1944 in Hannibal, MO.   He preceded her in death in 2005.

Dorothie is survived by a daughter, Judith Epperson (Roy) of Machesney Park, IL and her son, Patrick Smith (Jane) of rural Palmyra, MO.  She is also survived by four grandchildren, Pamela Hensley (Phillip) of Machesney Park, IL, Joseph Epperson (Dawn) of Rockford, IL, Jennifer Maietta (Frank) of Grosseto, Italy and Katie Ketchum (Brett) of Madison, AL.  She had ten great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Dorothie was a member of the Little Union Baptist Church near Palmyra where her husband was a pastor for many years. She worked at the International Shoe Company and in retail sales at Tempo and retired from Ayerco at the age of 85 years old. 

Dorothie enjoyed watching NCIS, FBI, and other crime shows on TV, but really loved to have her family around her. She had a wonderful sense of humor, she loved to laugh and to make others laugh as well. 

The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Community Loving Care Hospice of Bowling Green, MO and Northern Illinois Hospice of Rockford, IL for the wonderful care they gave to Dorothie and the rest of the family during her last years.

A private family celebration of Dorothie's life will be held in Machesney Park, IL in the near future, after which a graveside service will be held at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, MO 11:00 am Saturday, November 11, 2023, with Chaplain Mark Burkey officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family on Dorothie's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com  

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