Dortha "Katy" Mae (nee: Knotts) Smith, age 100 passed away March 11, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving children. Born as the 5th child to Marcellus Claudius and Edith Maud Knotts on April 18, 1922 in Fellowsville, West Virginia. Dortha's father died when she was 2 years old. Albert Dorsey Shahan married her mother in September of 1927. Dortha called her step-dad, "Daddy Dorsey"
Known to most friends and family as "Katy". She worked in the Celanese Plant in Cumberland, MD during WWII. Her fiancé was a prisoner of war in Europe. After his liberation, Dortha married Henry H. Smith, Jr. on July 15, 1945 in Cumberland, MD. They moved to the Cleveland area.
Dortha was a loving, caring person. She was very creative and enjoyed crocheting, quilting, various crafts, flower gardening, and reading romance novels. Her home was decorated for every holiday. Quiet and shy, she always put her focus on her family and home.
Dortha was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, husband, Henry H. Smith; sisters, Elnora Davitt, Evelyn Britton; brothers, Audrey Knotts, Forrest Knotts, and Charles Shahan; and infant son, Michael Neil Smith.
Dortha is survived by her son, Ronald L. Smith; and daughters, Alanna (Roy) Petroff, and Vanessa Smith; granddaughter, Aurora (Dante) LaRiccia; sister, Mildred "Midge" Duckworth, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 10:00AM until the funeral service at 11:00AM at Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Ave., Painesville, Ohio 44077. Interment will follow at Knollwood Cemetery, Mayfield Heights.
Her family wants to express extreme appreciation to Hospice of the Western Reserve, their many staff for their support and caring over the past years. Memorial contributions are suggest to Hospice of the Western Reserve at www.hospicewr.org or to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.