Dorothy L. Smith , 86, of Columbia City, died peacefully surrounded by family at 12:09 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Millers at Oak Pointe in Columbia City.

Born on February 15, 1938 in Blackey, Kentucky, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Goldie (Banks) Arms.  Her formative years were spent in Hazzard.  The family moved to Indiana in 1951 where she attended Columbia City High School.  Later she earned a GED.

On February 10, 1951 she was united in marriage to Bill Smith. They lived in Happy, Kentucky until 1957 when they moved to Pierceton.  Since 1963 they had made their home in the Columbia City area. Bill died December 21, 2017.

Dorothy worked at Chamberlin Products in South Whitley for six years and then ITT in Fort Wayne retiring after 23 years of service.

She was a member of the Columbia City Free Will Baptist Church where her husband was a minister, and taught Sunday school for 35 years.

A devoted Christian, she spent most of her time working with the church and congregation.  At home, she liked gardening and more recently she took swim classes at the YMCA.

Surviving are her children, Linda (Harold) Duff of Las Vegas, NV, Sandra (Jim) Willcox of Huntington, Trisha (Mohsen) Khaleghi of San Diego, CA, and Ricky Smith of Lexington, KY; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and sister, Brenda (Rival) McBride of Columbia City.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by sister, Wilma Faye Williams and a brother Don Arms.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the South Park Annex Cemetery. Visitation from 12 noon until the service at the funeral home.

Memorials in Dorothy's honor are to the Diabetes Association.