Dorothy Lawley Smith

DOROTHY LAWLEY SMITH, – passed away on 11 Nov. 2022, she was at home with her family. She was born on May 16, 1934, to the late Lena Lawley and Walter H. Boothe in Straven, Alabama, She was the last living child of Lena Lawley. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Lena and Walter; Clarence and Willie Boothe,  who raised her after the passing of her mother; her husband of 47 years, Clifton L. Smith Sr.; two sons, David Clarence Smith, and Clifton L. Smith Jr.; four brothers, Buford (Eva) Lawley, Charles Edward (Vernice) Lawley, Hubert H. (Mildred) Lawley, and James “Papa Duke” (Frances) Lawley; two sisters, Mary Etta (Charles) Bowlin and Sis Benton; and a special great granddaughter Sharon Leighann Smith.

Dorothy worked for Siluria Textile Company (Cotton Mill) till it closed, while she also worked for the Birmingham News paper. She continued to work for the Birmingham News Paper for many years while working for Canon Oil in Alabaster, and Mail South in Helena. She retired from the Birmingham News Paper in 2013 when her husband Cliff passed away.

Dorothy leaves behind 6 Children, Judy (Terry) Carr of Alabaster, William “Tommy” Smith of Maylene, James L. Smith Sr. of Alabaster, Marry Ann Barker of Maylene, Tammy (George) Vanderslice of Wilsonville, and Karen Martin (Chris Berryhill) of Brookwood. Dorothy also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson on the way.

She is a woman that many other family and friends call her momma Dorothy, nanny, granny, and Big Maw. She will be greatly missed.

Services will be held in the Charter Funeral Home Chapel, a visitation will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 6 pm to 8 pm. The funeral service will be held Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2 pm. Dorothy will be laid to rest in Ryans Crossing Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude in her name: Dorothy L. Smith

3 Comments

  1. Karen on November 16, 2022 at 11:04 pm

    Momma I will miss you more than you will know. I love you so much.. Kiss my daddy for me…



  2. Rhonda Swindle on November 19, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    Aunt Dorothy I have always loved you and will miss you so much. I know your in heaven with my mawmaw . Until I see you again fly high with the angels. R.I.P.



  3. Daniel Lucas on November 20, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    Big maw, for the time I have known you when i was friends with JR and became apart of the family you have been a sweet lady. I never heard a cross word come from you and my thoughts and prayers are with our complete family through this difficult time. Wish I would have got to know you a little better, until we all meet on the other side you will be greatly missed and loved by so many…
    With love, Daniel Lucas
    Linda Carr Lucas