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Dorothy Irene Smart went home to be with the Lord on February 23, 2011 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's. She was 67 years old. Dorothy Irene Elrod was born in Harlingen, Texas on February 8, 1944 to Ike Leard and Lou Irene (Stubblefield) Elrod. She spent her early years in the Rio Grande Valley town of San Benito before the family relocated to Corpus Christi in her teens. She met the love of her life John Wilson Smart and they married on October 22, 1963 in Alice, Texas. Dorothy dedicated herself to her husband and his two children Laverna Sue and John Charles. Then Dorothy and Johnny were blessed with three more children Michael Shane, Shea Wilson, and Shannon Louise.
Soon after the youngest child Shannon was born, Dorothy and Johnny moved to Center Point, Texas. Dorothy secured employment at Center Point ISD so she could stay close to her children. She worked in various capacities for the school for many years. Dorothy became a fixture at school events as her children competed and excelled at a variety of contests. Nothing made her prouder or gave her more joy than her children. Dorothy was tested with the sudden accidental deaths of both her husband Johnny in 1985 and son Shea in 1988. Yet in spite of these tragedies, she maintained a sense of optimism and a passionate wonder of nature. And an overwhelming desire to hold her family close.
In her later years, Dorothy became a doting grandmother. Nothing brought her more joy than to be surrounded by family. She continued to enjoy all of God's creation. She adored her late son Shea's Australian Sheep Dog Rose who lived well past twenty years. Dorothy loved all manners of life. Her house always resembled a botanical garden with many varieties of plants and flowers inside and out. Dorothy knew all too well the value of life, and thus, it was her goal to give and nurture life in all forms.
In 2000 Dorothy, at age 56, was diagnosed with an early-onset and particularly aggressive type of Alzheimer's. The insidious disease took hold rapidly and took from Dorothy her awareness of all the people and things she loved the most. In an ironic twist, the strength and tenacity she developed in overcoming so many of her life's tragic events helped her to survive for more than a decade. Then she left this world a world that gave her great sorrow yet also a great deal of simple pleasures on the same day her youngest grandson came into this world eleven years earlier.
Dorothy Smart was the embodiment of that which is good in human existence. Anyone who ever met her would categorically agree that she was the kindest person they have ever known. She walked through a world filled with darkness and evil, yet chose to seek that which is bright and good on this mortal coil. Corinthians 13:13 states, Three things will last forever,faith, hope, and love and the greatest is love. Dorothy had an abiding love for others particularly her family a love that will last forever in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her.
Dorothy is survived by Sister Fran and Brother-in-law Harlan Helmers of Center Point, Texas; Sister Annette Walter of San Antonio; Sons John Charles Smart and wife Cami of Pennsylvania and Michael Shane Smart of Center Point; Daughters Laverna Sue Wilson and husband Phillip of Center Point and Shannon Louise Edwards and husband George of Center Point; Grandchildren: Jason Wilson of Converse, Zach Wilson of Comfort, Matt Wilson of Boerne; Amanda Whitworth and husband Joshua of Center Point, Elisa Miller of Pennsylvania; Patrick Smart of San Antonio; John Wilson Smart, II and Wendy Smart of San Antonio, Kevin and Rudy Smart of San Antonio; Kellie Smart of Virginia; and John Ross Edwards of Center Point. Great-Grandchildren: Silas Smart; John Charles Smart, II; Alissa Smart; Jane Smart; Elizabeth Smart; Julia Whitworth and Sadie Whitworth.
Private family services.
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