Dorothy Jean (Smith) Ross

Dorothy Jean (Smith) Ross was born on August 19, 1947, in Steele, Missouri to Albert Lee Alexander and Lottie Mae Smith. At the age of three, her family moved to Caruthersville, MO, where she was raised and started a family of her own. Dorothy cherished her family and was fortunate to see it through multiple generations. She had a special relationship with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and that's what made her such a phenomenal woman — she was truly close to everyone. Dorothy was heavily involved in raising and supporting her family for generations. She was the selfless matriarch of her family, often sacrificing her comfort to care for someone in need. Dorothy enjoyed singing, outings with friends, attending church, and spending time with her loved ones. She enjoyed playing games, experimenting in the kitchen, and watching shows on television. Dorothy enjoyed having conversations and she would often call family and friends on their birthdays and sing to them. Dorothy was full of love, and she was very thoughtful, protective and honest. She would often share life lessons and provide the best advice to anyone who needed it.

Dorothy confessed a hope in Christ at a very young age. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist in Caruthersville, Missouri, under the leadership of the late Reverend Benson. While residing in Cape Girardeau, she was a member of Greater Dimension Ministries under the leadership of the late Dr. William Bird.

Dorothy was a 1966 graduate of Washington High School in Caruthersville, MO. She was an active participant in the Washington School Reunion. Dorothy was a well-educated woman with associate degrees in Early Childhood Education and Business/Computer Science. She was united in holy matrimony to Anderson Ross on July 31, 1992, and they enjoyed 22 years of marriage until he departed this life in 2014.

Dorothy was a woman of many talents. She was a day one employee at Century Casino - Caruthersville (formerly Casino Aztar) for nearly two decades. She greeted all guests with a smile and carefully attended to their needs until her early retirement. Upon retirement, Dorothy relocated to Cape Girardeau, MO.

Dorothy passed from this life on the morning on April 1, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was reunited with family members who preceded her in death:husband Anderson L. Ross, her mother, Lottie Smith, her father Albert Alexander, her brother James E. Smith, her aunt, Rudell Nelson, and her grandmother L.E. Chambers.

Dorothy is survived by her three daughters: Cassandra Smith of Cordova, TN, Consuela Smith of Springfield, IL, and Angela Smith of Milwaukee, WI; two sons: Marcus Smith of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Shawn (Arlesia) Smith of Texarkana, TX; four brothers: Michael Newburn and Robert Smith, both of Caruthersville, MO, and Winter Alexander and Miguel Kolmar (Carla) Alexander of St. Louis, MO; four sisters: Brenda Smith of Caruthersville, MO, and Ericka Gilliam, Darney Alexander & Indus Alexander, all of St. Louis, MO; 15 grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousin and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. in the H.S. Funeral Chapel with Pastor William Rogers officiating. Interment to follow at Morgan Ridge Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m.

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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