She is the love of my life but passed from this life early Saturday morning, June 24, 2023. She is comfortable and at peace, she is healthy and whole in the arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
Dot was a selfless and kind person who put others needs above her own. She was always there to help her sisters, brother and whom ever needed a hand, she loved her family and would do anything for them.
Dot and her husband Charles, began their life together as high school sweethearts in early 1966 at Opelika High School.
Dot and Charles married in December 1968 and Dot supported Charles in his desire to earn his business degree from Auburn University.
Upon graduation from Auburn, Dot and Charles relocated numerous times to many towns and states. Dot sacrificed her career aspirations to support Charles.
In 1998, Dot and Charles settled into Shelby County, Alabama. Now it was Dot’s opportunity to continue her career in banking. She worked for Regions Bank for 21 years and retired in December 2014.
Retirement for both was supposed to be a time to enjoy each other without the distractions of jobs; maybe travel, etc. but an enjoyable retirement was not in their future.
In early 2018 Dot became seriously ill. She required several emergencies and spent the equivalent of seven months in various hospitals that year.
Her health experienced many ups and downs and appeared to be on an up cycle when on June 17, 2023, she was again hospitalized.
She rarely showed her pain, she maintained a cheery outlook regardless.
Funeral services were Wednesday, June 28, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Burial followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.
Dot is survived by her husband Charles Rice; sisters Pat Mayfield, Deborah Thornton (Bruce) and step-mother, Nelda Smith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Douglas N. Smith Sr. and June Diane Keith Smith; and brother Douglas N. Smith Jr.
Sweetheart I miss you already — you are and have been the one and only love of my life.
