Doris Emilie (Miller) Smith was born December 28, 1935, to John H. Miller and Emma Mae Barcroft Miller in Stoutland, Missouri. She passed away in her Stoutland home on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the age of eighty-eight years, six months and twenty-eight days.
Doris lived her whole life in Stoutland, graduating from Stoutland High School in the class of 1953 where she participated in volleyball and was a cheerleader. Following high school, she graduated from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri with a degree in education. Her career was spent in the Stoutland School district, first as a secretary and then teaching English to Junior High students. She was a wonderful teacher and enjoyed keeping up with many of her students after they graduated. She was said to be strict, but fair, and earned the respect of all those who were in her classroom. After she retired, Doris continued to serve as a substitute teacher in Stoutland and was a mentor to many teachers in the district, as well as school administrators.
Doris was a spirit-filled follower of God and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Stoutland. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a witness to many as she lived a Christian life. She enjoyed singing at church and reading her Bible daily.
On January 22, 1954, Doris was united in marriage to true love, Elliott LeClair Smith. They shared the joys and sorrows of life events for almost sixty-seven years. He passed away December 19, 2020.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elliot; and a grandson, Nicholas Smith; five brothers, Buddie Miller, Harold Miller, Jimmy Dale Miller, Russell Miller and John Hycel; three sisters, Wanda Howard, Willene Snoderly, Faye Ross; two half-brothers, Denzil and Rothford; and a half-sister, Marie Young; and her brother-in-law, Channing Smith.
She is survived by two sons, Randall Smith and his wife Gina and Kendall Smith and his wife Julie, all of Stoutland; six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Miller and his wife Marie of Stoutland; a sister-in-law, Margaret Smith of Stoutland, and several nieces and nephews.
Doris was devoted to her family, embracing the life of a loving wife and caring and strong mother to her two sons. She was very physically active and gave everything to her family. She never missed an activity the boys were involved in. She was thrilled when she became a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was thrilled to be a part of their and being present for many of their events.
Doris and her husband, Elliott, loved to travel all over the country on their motorcycle. But Doris was quick to tell you that she loved coming home best. Her other activities included playing ping pong, doing crossword puzzles, reading, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on television.
She was a Boys Town sponsor and had served on the board of directors for the Stoutland Senior Center. Doris also served on the Stoutland School Board.
Doris was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher and friend whose kindness and encouraging, supporting nature was rooted firmly in her Christian faith. Her trust in Christ and love for Jesus grew throughout her life and was the distinguishing characteristic recognized by all who knew her.
Words cannot adequately express the impact she has had on the lives of her family and so many others. We can only hope to live up to what she saw in us. We will treasure her time on earth and rejoice as we know she is now with her Heavenly Father.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon. Burial was in Dowty Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the CTA Scholarship Fund and donations may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
