Doris Ann Smith

DORIS ANN SMITH was born on December 3, 1958, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to her loving parents, Ruben and Evelyn Wade-Smith. She was their second child and a cherished addition to their growing family. In February 1961, at the tender age of two, Doris moved with her parents to Chicago, Illinois. As the family expanded, they relocated to the west side of Chicago in 1964, where Doris began her education at Delano Grade School. In 1969, the family settled in Maywood, and she continued her studies at Garfield Grade School and then attended Proviso East High School. She later earned her GED from Roseland High School and pursued nursing studies at Triton College. Doris was a determined and hardworking individual. Despite having a missing baby finger, she was an exceptionally fast typist, reaching speeds of over 100 words per minute. With the encouragement of a dedicated teacher who took special interest in her abilities, she excelled in typing. Her resilience and determination led her to become the first African American employed at the Northlake McDonald’s in the early 1970s. Throughout her career, she also worked at Javon Manufacturing as a packer and at Toys “R” Us. Her greatest joy in life came with the birth of her two children—her daughter, Keiah Smith, in 1979, and her son, Brian Smith, in 1981. She loved and nurtured them with all her heart, always striving to provide them with a foundation of love, strength, and resilience. Doris had a calling to care for others, which led her to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and later a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She dedicated herself to the healthcare field from the late 1970s until her wellearned retirement two years ago. In addition to her work in nursing, she served as a counselor for New Life for Girls, offering guidance, wisdom, and encouragement to those in need. While we may not know the exact moment Doris confessed her life to Christ, we do know that she believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior. She carried her faith in her heart and lived with kindness, compassion, and unwavering love for her family and those around her. On February 8, 2025, Doris transitioned from this life to eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Darryl Smith. She leaves behind a devoted and loving family to cherish her memory: her children, Keiah Smith and Brian Smith (Monique); her three precious grandchildren, Diamond Smith, Lakel Atlas, and Uriel Smith; her parents, Ruben and Evelyn Smith; her siblings, Ruben Smith Jr., Daphne Smith, and Joyce Williams (Walter); her sister-in-law, Jeanette Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Doris’s kindness, strength, and faith will forever be remembered, and her legacy of love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her

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