Dorinda Lynn Burney Smith – Wayne’s Bear, and our Momma and Dee Dee – died Friday, April 25, 2025, surrounded by family members at her home in Prattville. Alabama. She was 56.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dale Burney, and her in-laws, Louis and Ouida Smith. Those left to cherish her memory are Wayne Smith, her husband of almost 39 years; son, Alex Smith (Lauren), Wetumpka; daughter, Baylee Smith-Chrisman (Justin), Florence; three grandchildren whom she absolutely adored, Rhys, Ann Evelyn and Wallace; mother, Diana Burney; sister, Dana Specker (Nick); several aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members; and many friends. She will also be missed by her 14-year-old Shih Tzu, Penni Lane, her constant lap companion.
Dorinda died peacefully on the evening of what would have been her dad’s 79th birthday, spending one last Friday date night with Wayne. She spent the final two weeks of her life at home, with her family caring for her. She enjoyed Easter with her three grandchildren, watching them and smiling as they hunted Easter eggs. It was a good day.
A native of Florence, Alabama, her warm personality gained her friendships that remain – from growing up in Center Star and her days at Brooks schools to living in Three Forks, Priceville and Muscle Shoals. She and Wayne moved to Palatka, Florida, in 2019, where they made many close friends despite only being there for a short time. They spent many weekends on the beach in St. Augustine, and hoped to retire near there one day. They moved to Prattville in 2022 so Dorinda could help care for her grandchildren.
She most recently had continued to work remotely as office manager for Robert E. Taylor, AIA Architect PA of Palatka. She had previously worked at ECM Hospital, the (Florence) Times Daily and Mars Hill Preschool. Dorinda helped Wayne manage their rental business, Smith Properties. She also had a special talent for crafting, something she especially enjoyed doing to make gifts for family members.
Dee Dee leaves us with an example to follow – a legacy of having a kind and compassionate heart, always putting others first. She genuinely cared. From raising her two children to being a caretaker for her in-laws to spreading her love in caring for her precious grandchildren, the greatest joy of her life. While her life on Earth was cut far too short, she achieved all of her goals. She got to see her two children earn degrees from the University of Alabama, UNA and Simmons College; begin exciting careers; and start families of their own. Dorinda often said that all she ever wanted to be was a good wife, mother and grandmother. Mission accomplished, with a better home awaiting her in heaven with family and friends who have gone on before.
She met Wayne in November 1983 and captured him with the first glance from her beautiful eyes. They were married December 20, 1986, at Killen Church of Christ, which is where they first met. They were best friends. And they were partners throughout their happy life together, tackling life’s problems as a team. And celebrating their love. They enjoyed watching movies and TV shows together. He watched “Outlander” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with her, and she tolerated watching baseball and “The Sopranos” with him. She always made sure he had orange juice to start his day; he made sure she had a Coke to start hers. They enjoyed spending time at their condo in Gulf Shores and just sitting on the beach with each other, talking, reading and sleeping. Times like these.
They loved to travel together, with their journeys together taking them to New York City several times, including a memorable trip last July; a 15th anniversary cruise to Playa del Carmen, Mexico; a vacation to Hawaii on their 25th wedding anniversary; and Scotland for their 30th anniversary. They were planning a trip to Italy next year to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Dorinda also enjoyed a memorable trip to London with her daughter in 2019.
Dorinda and Wayne loved going to concerts and saw several bands multiple times, including Bon Jovi, Heart, Tom Petty and the Foo Fighters. Dorinda went with Wayne to sporting events across the country. He eventually turned her into a baseball fan, even though he’d catch her sleeping at spring training games in North Port, Florida, with pictures to prove it. She always was a sleepy bear, which led to her nickname.
During the past 14 months, Dorinda has been so brave and strong while enduring her cancer diagnosis, two surgeries, chemotherapy, 40 radiation treatments, dozens of trips to UAB Women and Infants Center covering thousands of miles and innumerable blood tests and scans. With Wayne by her side throughout her fight, she got to enjoy the birth of her third grandchild in May 2024, and dance at her daughter’s wedding in October. He considers taking special care of his Bear throughout the past year the greatest honor of his life.
Dorinda has kept her faith and now she has finished her course. A private lakeside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Dorinda’s name, helping others as she would prefer. Sympathy cards can be sent to Wayne and the family at 847 Dee Drive. Prattville, AL 36066.
The family wishes to thank her UAB care team and Dr. Michael Straughn; Central Alabama Radiation Oncology and Dr. Alex Whitley; Adoration Hospice; ministers Scotty Harris and Brent Missildine. We also appreciate all those who have prayed for her and her family, visited, called, sent texts and messages, or provided food.
One of Dorinda’s favorite songs – “Have Love, Will Travel” by Tom Petty – has these words in the chorus that Wayne shares as Jesus welcomes his Bear home: “When all of this is over, should I lose you in this (world), I want you to know you were the one. And my love will travel with you everywhere. Yeah, my love will travel with you always.”
