Doris Smithson

Doris Smithson, 85, of Pinellas Park, Florida, born July 2, 1936 in Collinsville, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at ManorCare Health Services in Dunedin, Florida.

Doris was a retired secretary from Illinois State College system. She and her twin sister Dolores Turner were members of the First United Methodist church of Pinellas Park, Florida. Doris’s strong faith provided her solace and support throughout her life.

Doris and Dolores relocated to Pinellas Park, Florida from Illinois in 2005 to be near Doris’s son and his family. They quickly made many friends and became integral members of their retirement community. Along with her twin, Doris enjoyed playing bingo, thrift shopping, local theater, the occasional trip to the casino, and a good bowl of ice cream.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband Ray Smithson, parents Glenn and Mary Niederberger (nee Clark), her stepfather Herbert Rigney, her brother Robert Niederberger, sister-in-laws (nee Smithson’s) Alvina Hayes, Louise Phillips, Dorothy Reidt, and brother-in-laws Franklin Smithson, Donald Smithson, and Jack Smithson, and a grandson, Ryan Smithson.

Surviving Doris are her sisters, Dolores Turner (nee Niederberger) and Glenna Howell (nee Niederberger), her son, Mark Smithson, daughter in-law, Lori (nee Spalding), and granddaughter, Brandi Smithson, her daughter, Tracy Nelson (nee Smithson) and granddaughter, Nikki (Nicole) Nelson and grandson, Mark Nelson.

The family would like to thank ManorCare Health – Dunedin and their amazing staff for the outstanding nursing care, dignity, and compassion they provided her and her family while she was in their care.

The family would also like to thank all of Doris’s friends and neighbors for their unlimited kindness, friendship, and support of her and her sister - “The Twins”.

There will be no visitation or services. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Doris’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.