Dorothy Rae (Reynolds) Smith, 82, of Rapid City, SD died on May 27, 2019 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. She was born on April 8, 1937 in Oakland, CA.

She attended Oakland, CA schools and graduated from high school there. After high school, Dorothy met a sailor named Gerald Smith and fell in love. On May 31, 1958 they eloped to Reno, NV. After their marriage, they made a home at the Berkley Naval Base. In 1959, they had their first son, Donald and that’s when the adventures began. With an infant son, she accompanied her in-laws, Fred and Nevada Smith to Rapid City, SD and set up a home next door to them. Soon Gerald finished his tour of duty with the Navy and joined his little family. In a year and a few months, along came David. At his birth, Dorothy was found to have Myasthenia Gravis. This provided quite a challenge. She had a difficult time walking and with daily activities. With medication she managed to go to work when the kids were in school. She started working at Control Data which later changed to MPI and then to SCI where she assembled computer parts. She worked there until retirement. She also started bowling with some of her coworkers. She continued bowling until early spring of this year. In the early 70’s her and Gerald purchased a house that had more space for 2 teenage boys. In 1989 life changed for them. Gerald suffered a severe heart attack and was flown to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA. After 81 days of an artificial heart, he received a new heart on their 31^st wedding anniversary, what a present. Gerald lived until March 4, 1992 then Dorothy found herself alone. Besides work, she was involved with Modern Woodmen of America activities, volunteered at the YMCA, VFW and Red Hatters. She traveled with her good friend, Evelyn where they saw the world. Oh the sites she has seen and adventures she had. In the early 80’s, she even learned to drive. Also in the 80’s, she attended a woman’s retreat and at the retreat she asked Jesus to be a part of her life. She then became a part of Open Bible Church. There, she was active in prayer groups and Sr. Ministries where she was known to bring her “angel eggs” to the potlucks. Dorothy also loved sharing time with her family by camping and taking trips with them, going to Hills Alive and Women of Faith trips. She very much loved her cats, there were her companions!

Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Donald (Janet) Smith of Rapid City and David Smith of Springfield, SD; Grandsons, Jason Smith of Colorado Springs, CO, Donovan Smith of Rapid City and Benjamin Smith of Springfield, SD; Great grandson Jamaal Smith of Rapid City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, Parents, brother Ray and sister Pat.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to benefit Open Bible Church or the MG foundation (myasthenia.org) in memory of Dorothy.