Smith, Dorothy H., 100, October 19, 2014. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Richmond. Arrangements by Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, Richmond, KY.
MAINE – Dorothy Higgins Smith, 100, widow of G. Murray Smith, Jr., died Sunday, October 19, 2014. Mrs. Smith, the daughter of Fred S. and Amber Grant Higgins, was born on December 11, 1913, in Smyrna.
She received her normal school diploma in 1933 from Aroostook Normal School, Presque Isle, and taught in schools in Smyrna, Dyer Brook, Oakfield, and East Millinocket between 1935 and 1943. She also completed a course in teaching early childhood from The Nursery Training School of Boston in 1940. At the beginning of World War II, she studied engineering drafting by extension from the University of ME and began working as a draftsman in the Hull Engineering department of Bath Iron Works in 1943.
In 1948, Mrs. Smith married G. Murray Smith, Jr., and moved to Richmond, KY. She continued her education, graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. and M.A. in Education. Mrs. Smith taught at Eastern Kentucky University where she was instrumental in starting the nursery program for four-year-olds at Model Laboratory School and taught
courses in child development. She retired from Eastern in 1980 as an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education.
In retirement, Mrs. Smith taught remedial reading in one-on-one sessions to approximately 30 students. She served on the Board of the Telford YMCA from 1980 until 2010 where she helped to implement the preschool and day care programs. Mrs. Smith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her son, George Murray Smith III (Cinda Graubard) of Boulder, CO; two daughters: Amber Lee Smith of Richmond, KY, and Clara Susan Smith (Michael Hubbard) of Fairfax, VA; her brother, Fred S. Higgins of Carson City, NV; her sister, Dora Higgins Akeley of Bath; five grandchildren: Megan Hubbard, Andrew Hubbard, Ian Hubbard, Tovë Smith (Simen Oestmo) and George Murray Smith IV; George and Cinda’s nephew, Clay Graubard; and many devoted nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 15, at, 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, KY. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the Love Fund of the First Presbyterian Church, 330 West Main St., Richmond, KY, 40475 or to the Telford YMCA, 1100 East Main St., Richmond, KY 40475. Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.cpcfh.com.
