Dorothy Smart

(From Hedge-Lewis Mortuary)

Dorothy H. Smart, 97, passed to the next life from her home at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

She was born January 3, 1917 near Hooker, Oklahoma, the oldest child of Kyle Daniel and Ora Irene Adams Duncan. At two months old she traveled with her family by covered wagon from Hooker to Las Animas County, Colorado where they homesteaded. Without utilities, running water, home appliances or even an automobile until she was nearly ten, she became well acquainted with hard work at an early age.

She married Wilbur Smart April 11, 1932 in Lamar, Colorado. To this 54 year union came three children, Hazel in 1934, Helen in 1935 and Carl in 1937. They lived in Colorado until moving to Barton County, Missouri in 1950 and, in 1961, to Webb City.

A child of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War II, Dorothy always worked hard. She helped Wilbur with his cows, canned from her garden, tended her flowers, prepared wonderful family meals and worked at Smith Brothers Shirt Factory in Webb City for 30 years (1952 to 1982). Dorothy was her family's Matriarch, providing life's precious gifts of love, warmth and a welcoming home. She hosted nearly every holiday well into her 80's. She personified the Greatest Generation by providing a perfect example of persistence, good cheer, faith in God and love of family, especially in the times of life's greatest trials. Dorothy was a member of Christ’s Church of Perseverance.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1986, her children, her brother Doyle, her sister Lula Faye, and one granddaughter, Linda Lawrence. She is survived by her nephew, Robert Ingram - her sister’s only child whom she helped raise, 12 grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren (about 70 progeny), as well as her final caregiver and trusted friend, Heathur Pliler. Upon Hazel's and Helen's passing, she and Wilbur finished raising their daughters' minor children (Rita and Linda).

With life ebbing away, she most beautifully embraced her journey home to the waiting and merciful arms of Jesus and the certainty of eternal happiness. As a final inspiration for us all, she looked death in the eye without fear, even rejoicing in the coming Resurrection and a grand reunion with loved ones gone before. Death had no sting.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Christ's Church at Perseverance, with Tom Black, Minister, officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Monday at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Smart specifically asked that memorial contributions be made to the Omaha Boys' Home, 4343 N 52nd St, Omaha, NE 68104, to which she contributed since childhood. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home of Webb City, Mo.