Doris Mitchell Smith

DORIS MITCHELL SMITH January 13, 1922 – January 9, 2006 The memorial service for Doris Mitchell Smith will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at the First Baptist Church, Waco, TX with Dr. Scott Walker officiating. Doris Smith was born on January 13, 1922, in Waco, TX, to Arthur and Mary Edna Mitchell. She was immediately enrolled in the Cradle Roll of the First Baptist Church where she served as a faithful member all her life. She had one sister, Camille Mitchell Carroll who lives in Austin, TX. Doris attended Sanger Elementary School, West Jr. High, and Waco High before studying English at Baylor University. She graduated from Baylor in 1943, married Vernon Smith in 1944 after his return from the war, and taught at the Little Red School House. Following the birth of their children, Doris taught 5-year olds in Sunday school for 25 years. She served as room mother, Camp Fire leader, Alpha Omega supporter, and treasured friend to all young people. She established and ran the Sewing Mission at First Baptist Church for 20 years, and served as one of the first women deacons. Her husband of 57 years predeceased her in 2001. She attended her last worship service at her beloved church on Christmas Eve, 2005. The loves of Doris' life were her family, her church, and Baylor University. She always put family first and devoted herself to her daughters, Sherry Smith and Melinda Smith Horner and her son-in-law Pat Horner. Doris loved her grandchildren beyond all measure: Ashley Ellison and husband Andrew, Andrea Dovgalyuk and husband Timofey, Mitchell Horner and wife Kathryn, and Meredith Jacks. And she took great joy in her great-grandchildren: Mia and Nicholas Dovgalyuk and was looking forward to the arrival of a 3rd great grandchild later this week. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Louise Chatham and husband Ben, her cousin Edward Mitchell and other cousins, nieces and nephews. Doris also treasured her friendships with people she'd known in Waco all her life and with her many Baylor friends. She was a 2nd mother to many of Sherry and Melinda's friends as well. She will be dearly missed by all. Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church or the Booth-Mitchell Scholarship at Baylor University. The family invites you at leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey