Dorothy "Culver" Smith

Dorothy Culver Smith entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, following a joyful celebration of her 90th birthday with friends and family earlier in the year. Dorothy was born on January 3, 1936, in Summit (Twin City), GA, to Annie Dell Peele Culver & Roger Culver. As a child, she worked on her family's farm in Twin City raising livestock and cultivating major crops, including soybeans, cotton, and tobacco.

She graduated from Emanuel County Institute in 1954. "Dottie", as she was known to many, was well known for her spunk and tenacity, especially on the basketball court. Later she pursued a career in healthcare starting as the switchboard operator at Emanuel County Hospital, progressing to accounting and finally administration. Dorothy attended the University of Alabama's Health Services Administrator Development Program from 1977-78. She was a well respected healthcare administrator at Emanuel County Hospital, Swainsboro Nursing Home (Pruitt Health) and several nursing homes across the state throughout her career. Several of her greatest professional achievements include spearheading the addition of the 49-bed Emanuel County Nursing Home addition, the private rooms expansion, and Emergency Medical Services expansion at Emanuel County Hospital of Swainsboro during the 1970's. Dorothy retired from healthcare administration in 2000, after more than 30 years of service. During her retirement, she enjoyed country living in Sylvania, fishing, golf cart rides, and traveling.

Later in life, Dorothy enjoyed independent living at The Cottages at James Place in Dublin, GA. Known as "Ms. Dot" by her neighbors, her porch was the meeting place for their community. At any given time, she could be found rocking out front with a porch full of visitors, her contagious laugh echoing through the courtyard. Apart from front-porch socials, she enjoyed propagating plants, reading, and playing bingo. She was an avid fan of Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Survivor, and her "stories" (soap operas), which she watched daily while relaxing in her recliner. From The Cottages, she moved to Scott Health and Rehabilitation in Scott, GA, where she prided herself in being the facility's self-appointed honorary administrator. When she wasn't busy overseeing operations, she enjoyed games, arts and crafts, Bible study, and visiting the beautician. Dorothy was a devout Christian and cared deeply about the well-being of everyone around her.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, two brothers, Paul Murice Gay, and Devellar Mitchell Gay Jr., two sisters, Ann and Frances; two husbands, James Edward Schrader Sr. and Joseph Talmadge Smith; and three sons, Devella Mitchell Schrader (Gail), Edward James Schrader Jr. (Tracy), and Joseph Talmadge Schrader (Cel). She is survived by her daughter Lottie Anne Rizzardi (Pete); granddaughters, Christina Anne Wilson (Richard), Brittany Joiner (Jesse), Ashley Petrie (Robbie), Brittany Bass (Alan), Elizabeth Schrader; grandsons, Seth Schrader, Landon Chase Hutcheson (Kayla), Evan Schrader, Clark Schrader, Jeremy Schrader, Jared Schrader (Robin); and many other great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy's honor can be made to "Emanuel Medical Center Foundation", or Scott Health and Rehabilitation "Community Health Foundation". Her final resting place will be alongside her late husband, James Edward Schrader Sr. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dellwood. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Party on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Saltwater Fishery in Dublin, GA, at 6:00pm. All friends and family are invited to come enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and desserts as we share stories, laughter, and memories in celebration of the joy Dottie brought to us all.