Dorothy Marie Jackson Smith, age 89, died Friday, December 26, 2014, at her home in Jonesborough. A native of Washington County, she was the daughter of the late J.S. “Jim” Jackson and Pearl Hurdt Jackson.
Ms. Smith was known and respected for her work as a public school educator and for her inspiring fight against multiple sclerosis (MS), a crippling autoimmune disease. A fourth grade teacher at Jonesborough Elementary School for 17 years, Ms. Smith left her professional career in 1975 at age 50, due to the debilitating symptoms of the disease.
For the next seven years, she devoted her time and efforts to working with the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. During this period, Ms. Smith often organized gatherings for MS patients and their family members, held meetings in her home and frequently counseled newly-diagnosed patients. Over the years, she became known as an inspiring model of courage and hope for anyone struggling with a debilitating disease or disability.
In 1980, Ms. Smith was named “MS Mother of the Year” by the East Tennessee Chapter for her “uncanny ability to cope with the disease” and for her ongoing contributions to the local multiple sclerosis organization. Despite being confined to a wheelchair for the last 32 years of her life, Ms. Smith continued to be an inspiring presence in her community and church.
She was married for 24 years to the late Fred Neil Smith, former superintendent of Washington County Schools, until his death in 1967. An avid supporter of education, Ms. Smith began her teaching career as a substitute teacher in a one-room school in Dry Creek community in 1947. She later earned her bachelor’s degree and a master’s in elementary education at East Tennessee State University.
A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Jonesborough, Ms. Smith served for 20 years as superintendent of the Beginner’s Sunday School Department and co-directed the Girls’ Auxiliary. She was also a longtime member of the church’s Dorcas Sunday School Class and the Jonesborough Goodwill Circle, a local civic group.
For the last two decades of her life, Ms. Smith had a faithful caregiver, Wanda Dean, who lived in the home, until Ms. Dean’s death earlier this year.
Ms. Smith is survived by her two children, Jimmy Neil Smith of Jonesborough and Jill Smith Oxendine of Johnson City; a beloved daughter-in-law, Jean Smith; a brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Bernice Jackson of Jonesborough; and a longtime friend Phyllis Crain. She left three grandchildren: Eric Smith-Breeden (married to Jill Smith-Breeden) of Hillsborough, N.C.; Alina Oxendine (married to Zack Sullivan) of Stillwater, Minn.; Mary Beth Oxendine (married to Richard Woodby) of Bristol, Tenn. She had four great grandchildren: Josh and Matthew Smith-Breeden of Hillsborough, N.C.; Ian Sullivan of Stillwater, Minn.; and West Woodby of Bristol, Tenn. She also had several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted 3:30 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Cook officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday prior to the service.
Private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Pallbearers will be Michael Jackson, Zack Sullivan, Ed Speer, Jerry Lefevers, Richard Woodby and Kurt McIntosh. Honorary pallbearers are Alfred Greenlee, Alice Haws, Perry Phillips and Ronnie Fine.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid South Chapter, 214 Overlook Circle , Suite 153, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.