Smith, Dorothy Marie Verbeke

Dorothy Marie Verbeke Smith, of Bremo Bluff, Va., and formerly of Hollins, Va., and Dublin, Va., departed this life on Friday, December 14, 2007.

A very devoted wife, mother and sister slipped quietly into the arms of the Lord suddenly this past Friday at her home. She was born on September 29, 1929, to the late Louis and Theodora Verbeke in Wessington, S.D.

She was also preceded in death by her brother, Francis Verbeke; and sisters, Catherine and Bertha Verbeke. She is survived by her husband, Samuel E. Smith, of Fork Union, Va.; son, Michael E. Smith, of Springfield, Va.; daughter and son-in-law, Lora L. and Thomas M. Britanik, of Huntersville, N.C.; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel R. and Suzy B. Smith, of Knoxville, Tenn.; daughter, Lucinda L. Smith, of Fairfax, Va.; and sister, Madeline Lucas, of Howell, Mich. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Justin T. Britanik, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Kristin L. Britanik, of Providence, R.I.; Adam Smith, Ashleigh Smith and Alex Smith, of Knoxville, Tenn.

After graduating from Atkinson High School in Illinois, she worked in a hospital in Rapid City, S.D., where she met and married her husband of 55 years. She devoted her life to caring for her husband and four children, and she worked for many years in retail and pharmaceutical sales in Dublin, Pulaski, and Roanoke, Va., before retiring in 1992.

She enjoyed her retirement years, helping those in need in her community, and also helping family members when needed. She also served in the American Legion Post #240 in Troutville, Va. She was looking forward to continued retirement in the quiet and peaceful Fork Union area having recently relocated there in early December with her husband. She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Cloverdale, Va.

Funeral services will be held at Colbert Funeral Home in Bremo Bluff, Va., on Thursday, December 20, 2007, at 1 p.m. with graveside services and internment at Fork Union Baptist Church Memorial Cemetery, with the Reverend William Best officiating. Arrangements by Colbert Funeral Home in Bremo Bluff, Va.