Minister Doris Mae (Myler) Smith

Minister Doris Mae Smith was born the eldest child of Geraldine Reid on 14th of August, 1946 in Baltimore, MD.  Her childhood years were spent in Norfolk, VA with heer maternal grandparents, the late Bishop John Reid and his wife Charity.  Grandma Charity's sprawling home on Goff Street would be her first classroom, where she would learn of God's love and accept Christ at an early age.  Doris displayed a keen mind, and a mischievous and adventurous nature as witnessed by her "borrowing" of her godfather's at the ripe old age of 13!

In 1965, after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School Doris joined the then Women's Army Corps as a practical nurse.  It was here that she met a fellow soldier from her hometown - Alfred Myler; and on 6th of January, 1967 they married in her grandfather's church in Norfolk, VA.  Their family soon expanded with the addition of Tony Curtis and Angela Charity Camille, as Doris and family travelled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S. Although their marriage ultimately ended their friendship never did and they remained "buds" to the end.

A plate of pasta ushered in the next phase of Doris' life when she met Fred Smith at a spaghetti dinner in Mt. Clemens, MI.  They immediately began a whirlwind courtship, and on the 30th of September, 1983 they married in the presence of family and friends in Mt. Clemens, MI.  Doris never met a child didn't want to "mother" and welcomed the increase in her life with the addition of the Smith Children to her brood. 

Upon retirement the Smiths returned to Alabama, where Doris continued her service to God as a faithful member of Enon Missionary Baptist Church in Childersburg.  Doris big heart and winning smile attracted all that met her and soon she was "Mama Doris" to a new set of young minds.

Doris passed peacefully, but unexpectedly from this life the morning of the 12th of August, 2018 after a gradual decline in health.  She is survived by two children: Tony Myler (Barbara) and Angela C. Myler; five step daughters, Alfreda Johnson, Anita Hayden (Glenn), Velisa Smith, Cynthia Morsietta, and Vanessa Strong.  In-laws, Ruby Threatt, Mae Ashley (Joe), and Wilmer Odom. thirty two grandchildren, thirty four great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  Doris is also survived by her sisters Jessalyn Washington and Prestine Shafer, a brother Jessup Reid and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother Hinton Reid, her stepson Gerald Smith and in-laws Lucille, Rose, Timothy, John, James, and Joe Smith.

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