Graveside service celebrating the life of Mrs. Dorothy Owens Smith, 77 of Hillsboro, Alabama will be noon Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Owens Cemetery with the Reverend Fred Jefferson, officiating. Public viewing will be Friday from 1:00 pm till 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Reynolds Funeral Home.
Dorothy O. Smith was born in Hillsboro, Alabama on May 28, 1943. She was the oldest of six children born to the late James S. Owens and Cornelia S. Owens.
She confessed everlasting hope in Jesus Christ at an early age and joined Mount Olive P. B. Church. She served faithfully as a member of the choir, Sunday School teacher, and church secretary. On January 16, 2021 Dorothy was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dorothy graduated from Tennessee Valley High School. She loved her class of 1961, some of them remined close friends and stayed in touch until the end. She furthered her education at Albright College in Decatur AL.
She was employed by Bellsouth for over 30 years prior to her retirement. Following retirement, she continued to work at different jobs including Metlife, Mutual Savings, BBVA Compass, and Decatur City Schools. She enjoyed singing, sewing, reading, and trivia.
Dorothy had many accomplishments in her life but achieving the honor of writing her page in history as the 1st black female Mayor of the Town of Hillsboro would be one that was near and dear to her. She was privileged to meet several distinguished people in her professional career including former President of the United States Bill Clinton, of whom she received an official invitation to his inauguration, and attorney Johnnie Cochran best known for his leadership role in defending O. J. Simpson.
She began her plight in politics in 1984 serving as Police Commissioner for the town. In 1986 she was appointed Mayor. From 1986-2002 (16 years). She served the town well as Mayor. During that time, she made tremendous progress in getting the town on track for economic growth. Some of her accomplish-ments as mayor included:
Annexation – this was her 1st priority to annex as many residents into the town as possible. When she became Mayor there were only a few black families in the town limits. She drew up annexation plans to further develop the size of Hillsboro and increase the eligibility for grants and federal money to come into the town. Soon the town became eligible for a $350,000 community development block grant to build and repair homes.
Paved Streets – the next project was to pave streets. We had no real paved streets outside the small circle that was then Hillsboro city limits. She went to the county commission, who provided equipment and labor, she received state funds, and we began to see roads paved.
Land was leased from the L & N Railroad Company, to be developed for recreational activity. A city park was erected. The town had its own water system and court system.
Those were just a few of her accomplishments, but she did not achieve them without a lot of heartaches and struggles, but she did not give up. Why was she so successful? It was her passion. She loved the people and Town of Hillsboro and wanted what was best for it.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings James S. Owens, Belinda Gail Bell Porter.
She leaves to remember and honor her legacy three children, son Leo Smith Jr. Hillsboro, AL, two daughters Derra S. Pride (Fredric), Decatur, AL, Kalethia S. Goodlow (Ronnie), Hillsboro AL, stepson Leon King Newark, NJ, nine grandchildren, Rashad, Delisa, China (Lamar), Marcus, Nick, Justin, Torey, Zachary and Zakiah, four great-grandchildrenWynter, Lamar Jr., Cruz, and A’lyric four brothers, Donald C. Owens, Coynis R. Owens Hillsboro, AL, James Harris, John Harris, Courtland AL, two sisters Martha O. Robinson, Gloria O. Bouldin (Mizell) Decatur, AL. one Aunt Louise O. Jones, Hillsboro, AL. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Last, but not least, we would like to thank our dad Leo Smith Sr. for always being there and being supportive.
