Dot was born in Greenville, MS on January 3, 1931 to Bessie and Clyde Durham. She graduated from Greenville High School (1948) and from Mississippi College in 1952 with a BS in Elementary Education. Dot made her profession of faith and was baptized at First Baptist Church, Greenville, in 1938.
On June 15, 1952, she married Charles Vernon Smith, who preceded her in death in 2001. After teaching school in Greenville from 1952 – 1953, she and Charles moved to New Orleans, LA. Here they were charter members of Parkview Baptist Church in Metairie, LA. Dot taught school at Sam Barthe Private School for Boys 1953-1956 before she organized and directed the pre-school program at Parkview Baptist Church from 1963-1968. From 1968-1973 she taught 4th grade in the Jefferson Parish Public School System. After moving to Jackson, MS in 1973, Dot taught 5th grade at Manhattan Academy for 3 years. From there she found her favorite job as Church Administration-Pastoral Ministries Department secretary at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson, MS for 17 years.
For 45 years, Dot served faithfully at Broadmoor Baptist Church in many leadership positions. She was a choir member, Sunday School teacher, wedding director, as well as mentor to younger Christian women.
Together she and Charles had 2 children; Clyde Vernon Smith and Donna Kaye Byrd. She is survived by her son Clyde, daughter in law Patty Wootton Smith, her daughter Donna Kaye, son in law Bob Byrd, as well as her sister in law Gloria Oltremari Durham all of Madison, MS. Her grandchildren are Chad Smith (Laura Hartness Smith), Drew Smith (Katie Melvin Smith), Melissa Kaye McCombs (Taylor Shea McCombs) and Amanda Byrd. Dot has 3 great grandchildren: Cole Smith, Brayden Smith and Shelby Smith. She is also survived by many cousins. Dot was preceded in death by her brother, John Robert (Bud) Durham.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and again Monday, May 7, at 10:00 am at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. A celebration of life service will be Monday at 11:00 am in the church chapel. Dr. Jim Futral and Dr. Tommy Jarrett will officiate.
Graveside services will follow in Union Church, MS.
Memorials are requested to be made to Hope Hollow Ministries, PO Box 2247, Madison, MS 39130.
