Dorotha Smith Oatts

died Tuesday, January 16, 2018, after a short illness at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the daughter of the late Noah H. and Estella Corbin Smith of Bath County, Kentucky and the wife of the late Charles H. Oatts of Somerset. She is survived by her brother, Francis (Hissel) Smith of Bethel; her nieces: Louise Burton Bush, Lexington; Ann Hunter Burton; Harrodsburg; Susie Burton Duhe', San Juan Capistrano, CA; Jacky Smith Watson, Bethel; Jennifer Smith Vice, Fleming County; and nephew, Barry Smith, Lexington; Sister in laws - Virginia Smith and Billie Jean Smith, Great -Nephews - Hunter Burton and Aaron Watson, great niece -Alyssa Duhe' and many friends and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Mary Smith Burton of Harrodsburg; her brother, Theodore (Dick) Smith of Fleming County and her nephew, Eddie Burton, Venice Beach, Florida. Dorotha was a graduate of Owingsville High School, attended Union College in Barbourville, and the University of Kentucky where she received a BS degree in Vocational Home Economics and a Master's Degree in Home Economics Education. Her teaching career began at age 19 at Old Kentucky Home School in Bardstown and continued until she retired in 1982 from the Kentucky Department of Education after 25 years as supervisor of Vocational Home Economics, including State Associate Adviser for the Future Homemakers organization and advisor for the Home Economics Teacher's Organization. While there she coordinated the establishment of the Consumer and Family Life Skills program for postsecondary institutions which is still in use to this day. She was inducted into the Human Environmental Sciences Hall of Fame at the University of Kentucky, and a recipient of the HES Outstanding Alumnus Award. She was also recognized as a UK Fellow for her support of the UK/Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum. Dorotha had a great love for gardening and many of her volunteer activities involved improving the outdoor environment. She served as vice-chair on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Corridors Committee to beautify roadways leading into Lexington. She worked with inmates at Blackburn Correctional Complex to landscape the grounds of the Abundant Life Chapel; she coordinated the development of the prayer garden at her church, First United Methodist in Lexington; she was involved in various capacities with the Garden Clubs of Kentucky Inc. including chair of the state scholarship committee; and chair of the Home and Garden Tour for the Lexington Council of Federated Garden Clubs. The passion for mother Earth that she learned in her youth on the family farm in Bath County never left and was most evident in the time, love and financial support she provided for The Arboretum. While she took great enjoyment in helping to bring The Children's Garden to fruition; her greatest legacy there is the visitor's center named for her. The Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor's Center was her crowning success where she envisioned that visitors could keep apprised of happenings in the gardening world; could attend educational classes; and could socialize with people with the same gardening interests. In her own words "It is a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty of the Earth". Per Dorotha's wishes, a Remembrance of Life event will be held in the spring at the Arboretum in Lexington for family and friends. Friends who wish to honor her memory, may make contributions to the Dorotha Smith Oatts endowment fund at The Arboretum; 500 Alumni Drive Lexington, KY 40503. www.milwardfuneral.com