Dorothy Louise Riley Smith was born June 16, 1930 in The Dalles, Oregon to Mae Neumeier Riley and Ralph Irwin Riley. She passed away Sept. 3, 2015, surrounded by family members in her home. Dorothy was confident she would be with God and those who went before her.
She lived the first few years of her life in Goldendale, Washington, when Dorothy was five years old, the family moved to the farm in Walla Walla, Washington.
Dorothy met her husband at Washington State College (WSU), where the two graduated in 1952. The two were married Aug. 26, 1951 and they moved to Chehalis in 1953, where they farmed for over 50 years.
Education, church, family and community were the most important things to Dorothy. She was a proud college graduate with a degree in chemistry and English from WSC (WSU). She encouraged and supported her five children to nine college degrees. Having graduated from WSC, she was dedicated to 4-H and made sure her five children all participated actively. Dorothy was a 4-H leader for 50 years and was named Leader of the Year.
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir for over 50 years and the bell choir for 15 years. Dorothy was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, vacation bible school leader and youth leader for over 30 years. She was a member, president and other offices in the Church Women United and United Methodist Women. In 1996, Dorothy was awarded the “Outstanding Volunteer” which is the highest medal-of- honor from United Methodist Bishop.
She was globally minded who acted locally. She was involved in Heifer Project International (HPI) for 30 years. Dorothy visited Honduras, Alabama, Arkansas and Thailand with HPI. In Thailand, she helped vaccinate native cattle. Dorothy and husband, Don bought clothing for a whole village. She was involved in local, district, state and national church activities for 50 years. She was the Northwest Conference Hunger Coordinator for the National Board of Global Ministries. She was active with Bread for the World. Dorothy was the local Crop Walk Coordinator for decades. She was a local and state officer with the Association of Churches. She helped start the UMC clothing bank and shelter programs. She was active in the Church Emergency Response Network (CERN). Dorothy helped with floods, homeless and low income challenged people.
Dorothy was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved going to Ocean Park United Methodist Church Camp, Seabeck Christian Family Camp, Hotsko’s Landing on Mayfield Lake and car trips around the country. Dorothy made sure to attend all of her kids sporting events, choir, plays and 4-H activities. She attended graduations, weddings and reunions with her family. Dorothy had a practice of praying daily for every child, grandchild and great-grandchild by name. One of Dorothy’s grandchildren was a student athlete at her beloved WSU and Dorothy delighted in going to her races. She was an avid sports fan. Her teams were the BLUE DEVILS of Walla Walla, the COUGARS of WSU, the BEARCATS of Chehalis, the MARINERS and the SEAHAWKS.
Dorothy touched the lives of countless people directly and indirectly. She was a proud Christian Liberal Democrat. She lived her faith in God and the teachings of Jesus. "Blessed are you for you cared for me, for I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was in prison and you came to visit me, I was homeless and you gave me shelter." And his disciples said, "When did we do any of those things for you?" And he said, "If you have done it for the least of these, you have done it for me." Dorothy always was on the side of those who are marginalized in our world.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Donald L. Smith; son, Ralph Wesley Smith; sister, Lola June Riley Scalley Yale; and her brother, Louis Riley.
She is survived by daughter, Lola Dee Smith Toloba of Chehalis and her children, Mary, Rachel, Elijah, Michael, Tyler, Rebecca, Caroline and Lisbeth; son, Glenn Donald Smith (Jeanne Waddell) of Walla Walla and children, Donald and Liz; son, Ralph’s widow, Tracy Hansen of Denver, Colorado and children; Katie, Wesley, Riley, Tyler and Logan; daughter, Susan Smith Leschinski (John) of Connell, Washington and children, Jill, Michael, Lisa and Jon; daughter, Lorna Maye Smith (Carl Nelson) of Chehalis and child, Koleka; siblings, Alice Riley Davis (Rex) of Pullman, Washington, Elwin Riley (Judy) of Kennewick, Washington, Beverly Riley Haven (Chet) of Port Ludlow and Sharon Riley Bogan (Duane) of Prosser; sisters-in-law, Doris Smith Barker (Tom) and Rosalie Smith; Dorothy is also survived by 34 nieces and nephews; 20 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at the Chehalis United Methodist Church.
