Doris Cornelia (Merritt) Smith

Doris Cornelia Merritt Smith, age 83, of Colly, departed from her Earthly home on Thursday, April 06, 2023. To know her was to love her.

She was the oldest daughter of the late Murdock Wilson Merritt & Rosie Mae Johnson of Colly.

Beloved sister to: Zelly Byrd/Zach of Elizabethtown, Hattie Velarde of Elizabethtown, and preceded in death by her younger sister, Daisy Jernigan.

A devoted wife who loved her late husband, Henry Marshall Smith, through thick and thin for 35 years, until he departed from her side in 1995.

Overprotective and loving Mother to 6 daughters: Brenda Merritt/Billy of Lumberton; Teresa Johnson/David of Harrells; Marlene Baxley/Melvin of Harrells; Lisa Autry/Wiley of Harrells; Cornelia Hester/Tim of Kelly; and “baby girl Smith”, a child she lost before she met.

Even though she didn’t raise her daughters with a lot of money, she made sure she raised them all to be strong, yet kind. To always forgive and love each other as she would want them to do. She would make them “hold Momma’s hand” everywhere she took them. She always tried her best to shield and protect them from all the dangers she saw in the world.

A loving Grandmother to: Wendy Merritt; Bobby Merritt; James Johnson; Kayla Johnson; Jessica Tart; Justin Baxley; Preston Lockamy; Weston Wynn; Cortney Jernigan; Isabella Hester; Haleigh Hester; Cole Hester; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Doris left behind an abundance of friends and neighbors that she considered family. She loved all of her sons-in-law like her own children since she and Henry never had sons of their own. David; Melvin; Wiley; Tim and even the ones who had left the family, she continued to love them as well. Brian Lockamy, Eddie Grady; Stevie Jernigan; and the late Joey Merritt.

Doris worked as a sewing machine operator for over 25 years. She loved her Grandson Weston who has resided with her since his birth.

Doris loved red birds and had them throughout her home and yard. She could often be found sitting on her porch listening to her wind chimes and admiring her flowers. She loved her little heaters and no matter the weather she would always have one on.

Doris made some of the best biscuits in Colly. It was a special treat that her family often requested, especially her grandchild, Jessica. Doris loved being silly and laughing. She would often get so tickled, she cried. But of all the things Doris loved, she loved the Lord the most, and her very last words to her family were “I’m ready to go home”.

Life’s day is short I soon must go, to be with Him who loved me so. I see in the distance that shining shore my beautiful home, my home sweet home.

Doris

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, April 10, 2023, at Colly Chapel Church in Harrells. Burial will follow in the Smith Cemetery. Reverend Jim Woodruff will be officiating the service.

A viewing will be held prior to the service on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Colly Chapel Church in Harrells, from 2:00-3:00 PM.

Services are provided by Carter Funeral Home of Garland. www.carterfh.com

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