Mrs. Dorothy J. Smith

Dorothy Jean Smith, 77, of Peoria passed away in the early morning hours of August 11, 2024, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born on November 12th, 1946, in the small town of Augusta, Arkansas. She moved to Peoria, Illinois when she was nineteen years old, where she met and married Gerald Lawrence Smith, Jr., he preceded her in passing. They were married for 39 years and had three children. Besides being a mother and wife, Dorothy also worked for many years at Proctor Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center evaluating patients for treatment. Dorothy was an avid gardener, growing beautiful Marigolds and Mums which were he favorite flowers. She also had a strong green thumb, and her living room was often filled with vibrant, healthy houseplants. She loved board and card games; Dorothy would spend hours playing an intensely competitive game of Scrabble with her late husband. Dorothy was a big music fan and loved R&B and Blues music genres. She introduced a love for music and some of the great musicians of the 60s and 70s to her children. She also enjoyed bowling and was a member of many bowling leagues within Peoria throughout the years. One of her most cherished activities was fishing and she often spent many weekends fishing with her husband and children. She had an exuberant personality and special fondness for Family Feud and Steve Harvey. She was an enthusiastic entertainer and hosted many holiday celebrations, parties, and events for family and friends. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was the beloved matriarch of our family and will be missed dearly. Dorothy is survived by her three children: Terri Ferguson, Sherri Smith, and Keith Smith; siblings: Tee Reather Kennerly, Edna Holder, and Brenda Bratton (adopted as daughter); siblings on her father’s side Grace Collins and Jeff Ferguson; five grandchildren: Brandon Boone, Indri Ferguson, Caden Gilmore, Ruby Andrews, and Cassius Andrews; two great grandchildren: Ariah Boone and Oliver Boone. Dorothy is preceded in death by her mother: Gloria Dean Bratton; father: Daniel Ferguson; two sisters: Carmen Ferguson and Helen Roddy; one brother: Robert Bratton; one granddaughter: Jordan Frase. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at T.W. Parks Colonial Chapel (201 N. Mac Arthur Hwy Peoria, IL 61605) at 1:00p.m. with visitation commencing one hour prior at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Deveraux Hubbard will present the eulogy. Dorothys inurnment is private. Arrangements were made especially for the “Smith” family and professionally directed by T.W. Parks Colonial Chapel. Live streaming can be viewed by clicking the link for TW Parks Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/twparkscolonialchapel. In lieu of flowers please donate to the family through Sherri Smith.

Mrs. Dorothy J. Smith

November 12, 1946 - August 11, 2024