Dolly May Smith
1921-2018
Gulfport
Dolly May Smith, a resident of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS passed away on July 9th, 2018 at the age of ninety-seven.
Dolly, born in 1921, was the seventh of ten children born to Myrtle and Ed Campfield of Oakwood, MO. As the Great Depression began they were living in Oakwood, MO, where her father ran a small grocery store. But times were hard and her family traded the store for a farm and relocated outside the city. There they were able to raise animals and grow vegetables, which provided most of what they ate. Her story was like many of those raised during those tough economic times, but the family supported and loved one another. The lessons she learned through those experiences gave Dolly a firm foundation and an independent spirit, which she subsequently imparted on all those she met throughout her life.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dolly wanted to go to California to work in the defense industry, however her mother discouraged that idea. So, she volunteered to serve our nation by enlisting in the U. S. Army, which she did in September 1943. In the fall of 1945 she married Edgar "Ed" Benjamin Smith of Charleston, MS. By 1948 their family grew with the birth of Linda and then Karen.
Dolly resided in Charleston and Sumner, MS, Horseshoe Bend, AR, and Ocean Springs, MS. After the passing of her husband, Ed, she relocated to Palmyra, MO before returning to Ocean Springs and later moved to the Armed Forces Retirement Home where she lived until her passing.
Dolly was pre-deceased by her husband, Edgar Benjamin Smith and her youngest daughter, Karen Rae Lowery (Coy Cecil Lowery) of Gulfport. She leaves her daughter, Linda Cheryl Treadway (Major Andrew Treadway, II) of Huntsville, AL; her son-in-law, Coy Benjamin Lowery of Gulfport, MS; five grandchildren: Shannon Lynn Miller (John) of Ellicott City, MD, Amanda Lee Chapman (Brett) of Charleston, SC, Laura Ann Densford (Jonathan) of Madison, AL, and Benjamin Todd Lowery (Stephanie) and Bryan Cecil Lowery (Melissa) of Gulfport, MS; and ten great-grandchildren: Carson and Cade Miller; Luke, Ansley Kate and Sophie Chapman; Caleb and Aubrie Densford; and Peyton, Parker (Todd and Stephanie) and Ashley Lowery (Bryan and Melissa).
Dolly's family wishes to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and in particular those who work with the veterans who live on Loyalty Hall. Their dedication, professionalism and love for our nation's veterans were apparent throughout Dolly's time as a resident in their care.
Internment will take place on July 12, 2018 at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in Ocean Springs, MS prior to her memorial service, which will be held at 11:15 AM at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com
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Published in The Sun Herald on July 12, 2018
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