Dorothy Mae (Fry) Smith, age 86 of Clay City, died at 10:28 a.m., on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Flora Gardens Care Center.
Dorothy was born July 26, 1937, in Mt. Erie, Illinois, the daughter of Charlie and Katie (Howe) Fry. She married William “Bill” Roscoe Smith of Xenia, Illinois on October 22, 1953, in Louisville, Illinois.
Dorothy, along with her husband Bill, had owned and operated Checker gas station in Gibson City, Illinois. In their younger years, they loved to vacation with just the two of them to many site-seeing destinations within the United States. In 1981, Bill and Dorothy moved their family back to Clay City to the family farm where Dorothy was raised. It was then they owned and operated the Smith’s Clay City Supermarket.
Survivors include three sons, John “Bill” William Smith of Olney, Paul (Linda) Smith of Mattoon, and Mark (Kimberley) Smith of Flora; three daughters, Mabel “Kay” Smith of Olney, Patricia (Bob) Gerth of Bloomington, and Holly (Chris) Cunningham of Sherman, honorary son (brother-in-law), Mike (Connie) Smith; 16 grandchildren, Kim (Steve) Eyer, Stacey (Sean) Dunlap, Chrissy (Roger) Phillips, Lauren (Scott) Hill, Regan Smith (Austin Larson), Ray (Jennifer) Gerth, Robert Gerth, Brad (Sarah) Gerth, Erin Thacker, Cori (Jay) Fryman, Jordan (Morgan) Smith, Alexis (Caleb) Kauk, Joseph Smith, Abram Smith, Connor Cunningham, and Colliin Cunningham; 33 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter, Mona Ellen Smith, 3 sisters, Mabel Fry, Ruby “Jean” Murray-Carlyle, and Joyce “Sue” Winters; 5 brothers, Thomas Fry, Herschel Fry, Roy Fry, Andrew “Dale” Fry, and James Fry; and a great-grandchild, Micah Heflin.
Dorothy had previously resided in Joliet, Gibson City, Clay City, Olney, and Springfield. Her final resting place will be in Clay City Cemetery next to her true love, Bill, and daughter, Mona.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Clay City Cemetery with Pastor James Earleywine officiating. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to either Beyond the Walls, Flora First Methodist Church Blessing Bag Program, or Residential Hospice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com