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Grace Dorothea Smith, 82, of White Pigeon. On October 7, 1933, Grace Dorothea “Dot” Smith was born on the family farm in McKamie, Arkansas, to Ples and Era (Edwards) Lewis. Her mom chuckled when she scanned Grace’s birth certificate. Her date of birth was reported as October 6, 1933, “I know when my children were born.”
Grace had many fond memories of growing up on the farm as she attended the historical Stamps Rosenwald School, named the Lafayette County Training School.
After attending the Arkansas Mechanical and Normal (AM&N) College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as a business major, she became the proud wife of then, 2nd Lt. Roy H. Smith, Jr., where they traveled through several countries over 20 years. This union brought forth three children.
She enjoyed entertaining and helping younger wives settle into the army culture, who found her common-sense advice to be comforting. Her hobbies included sewing for her family and interior decorating and studying the cultures of the countries she visited.
After her divorce, she attended a technical school and immediately worked in computer data management at Litton.
Faced with the restrictions that come with dementia, Grace was at various times cared for by both of her daughters. During that time, she rededicated her life to the Lord.
Grace breathed her last breath and immediately found herself in the Lord’s loving presence on Friday, July 22, 2016.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ples and Era Lewis, and siblings Harlbert Lewis, Bertrum Lewis, and James Nunnelly.
Those surviving to honor and cherish her memory are her three children: Ameta Yvette (Smith) Bagley of White Pigeon, MI, Jacquelyn Elaine Smith of Winnetka, CA and Jerome Herbert Smith of Rochester, NY; two sisters, Mae Otis (Lewis) Robinson and Jeanette (Lewis) Boccia; one brother, Cecil Lewis; granddaughters, Jolanda Rochelle Scott and Kailee Smith; one grandson, Riley Herbert Smith; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 28 at 5 PM at Bill and Yvette’s Home. Interment will occur in McKamie Cemetery in McKamie, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for maintenance of the family plot. Arrangements were entrusted to Eley Funeral Homes, Inc., Constantine, . Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
