Dorothy Jane Smith Doss died peacefully on July 27, 2024, at the age of 101.
Dotti was born in Weatherford on September 19, 1922 to John Edgar Smith and Lillie Bell Brown Smith. She attended Weatherford Public Schools, graduating from Weatherford High School in 1939 at the age of sixteen. She attended Weatherford College, the University of Texas, and Texas State College for Women (later Texas Woman’s University) before her marriage to James Houston Doss on August 17, 1940. Their loving partnership lasted sixty years until his passing in 2000.
Dotti was a stay-at-home mom until her three children were independent, when she found time to earn a BA in Comparative Literature at Southern Methodist University in 1969 (making the Dean’s List all semesters) and attending Graduate School at Texas Christian University in 1970. She and James then embarked on many trips together, making wonderful memories and bringing home tales from their adventures around the world.
Guided by her faith, Dotti’s kindness and consideration brought out the best in people. Dotti is remembered by her family as a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother. She wrote a book about her husband James, filled with stories and photographs, that is treasured by the family. However, the most important gift she gave her family was her generous care and loving presence.
She was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. She also served on the boards of the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, Weatherford College Foundation, Texas Bank, Campbell Health System Foundation, and Civic Development. She received the Weatherford Outstanding Citizen Award in 2001.
Dotti was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brothers, Jack P. Smith, and Percy Smith; and her son, John Doss.
Her survivors are her daughter, Nancy Knight (Bill); and son, Jim ( Sharon Campbell); her grandchildren, Amy Knight Brown (Jason), Molly Knight, David Knight (April), and P.J. Doss (Sarah); great-grandchildren, Sam Brown, Alex Brown, William Knight, Charlotte Knight, and Rylo Ellanor Doss. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, at Grace First Presbyterian Church.
Memorials: Grace-First Presbyterian Church, 606 Mockingbird Lane, Weatherford, Texas 76086 and Doss Heritage and Culture Center, 1400 Texas Drive, Weatherford, Texas 76086
The Community News
August 9, 2024
