Funeral services for Doris Buffington Smith, 91, of Coolidge will be at 9:30 Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Enon Cemetery on Enon Road, Coolidge, GA. Mrs. Smith died on August 5. She was born December 7, 1920 in Hart County, GA to Thelma Claire Walters and Tom Buffington, members of pioneer families of Hart County. She grew up in Talbot County and graduated from Woodland School, West Georgia College and New York University. In 1943 she married Franklin I. Smith in Myrtle Beach, SC. They moved to Coolidge in 1945 where Franklin began farming and Doris served as farm bookkeeper and secretary along with numerous other functions related to farming and agricultural life. Her children were very active in 4-H Club activities and she served as a volunteer 4-H leader. The Smiths were named "Master Farm Family" by Progressive Farmer magazine in 1964.
In 1946 she began her teaching career in Thomas County, teaching first grade in Coolidge and later Central School. She was the first librarian at Garrison Pilcher School. Upon her retirement from teaching in 1981, she became a volunteer for Archbold Hospital Auxiliary, serving weekly on the front desk. She also chaired the Archbold Auxiliary Tea at Woodhaven Plantation in 1990 and 2010. She became an avid bridge player and loved playing with a group of friends on Monday nights for many years.
Although she grew up Methodist, she was a devoted member of Coolidge Baptist Church nearly 60 years serving as a Sunday School teacher and Adult superintendent. She served for many years as Chairman of the Flower committee and is remembered for beautiful sanctuary flower arrangements, most of which were from her garden.
She served on the board of the Thomas County Youth Camp Piney Woods, President of the Thomas County Genealogical and Fine Arts Library and the Briarcliff Garden Club. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a staunch supporter of the Thomas County Public Library and a member of the Thomas County Historical Society, Thomasville Landmarks and Thomas County Retired Teachers' Association.
She loved gardening and flowers and is remembered for beautiful wild azaleas. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a caring friend, a kind but demanding teacher and a woman with limitless energy!
Survivors include children: Mary Jo Ken Beverly and Stanley F. Smith, Thomasville, Nancy Rick Chandler, Suwanee, GA, Becky Jim Enzor, Raleigh NC. Grandchildren: Max Charnie Beverly, Franklin Rachel Beverly of Thomasville, Elizabeth Chandler James Bilton, Dallas TX, and Benjamin Garren, Columbus, OH. Great grandsons: Max, Rich, Franklin, Strong and Thomas Beverly. Sisters: Emily Ben McDonald, Ellenton and Paula Norton, Covington, and brother Johnny Buffington, Stockbridge. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Franklin I. Smith. The oldest of 8 children, she was preceded in death by brothers Wally Buffington, James Buffington, Andrew Buffington, and Roger Buffington.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Coolidge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 98, Coolidge GA 31738 or the Thomas County Public Library, 201 N. Madison Street, Thomasville, GA 31792. Guests may sign the online register at www.allenfh.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Doris Buffington Smith, please visit our flower store.
In 1946 she began her teaching career in Thomas County, teaching first grade in Coolidge and later Central School. She was the first librarian at Garrison Pilcher School. Upon her retirement from teaching in 1981, she became a volunteer for Archbold Hospital Auxiliary, serving weekly on the front desk. She also chaired the Archbold Auxiliary Tea at Woodhaven Plantation in 1990 and 2010. She became an avid bridge player and loved playing with a group of friends on Monday nights for many years.
Although she grew up Methodist, she was a devoted member of Coolidge Baptist Church nearly 60 years serving as a Sunday School teacher and Adult superintendent. She served for many years as Chairman of the Flower committee and is remembered for beautiful sanctuary flower arrangements, most of which were from her garden.
She served on the board of the Thomas County Youth Camp Piney Woods, President of the Thomas County Genealogical and Fine Arts Library and the Briarcliff Garden Club. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a staunch supporter of the Thomas County Public Library and a member of the Thomas County Historical Society, Thomasville Landmarks and Thomas County Retired Teachers' Association.
She loved gardening and flowers and is remembered for beautiful wild azaleas. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a caring friend, a kind but demanding teacher and a woman with limitless energy!
Survivors include children: Mary Jo Ken Beverly and Stanley F. Smith, Thomasville, Nancy Rick Chandler, Suwanee, GA, Becky Jim Enzor, Raleigh NC. Grandchildren: Max Charnie Beverly, Franklin Rachel Beverly of Thomasville, Elizabeth Chandler James Bilton, Dallas TX, and Benjamin Garren, Columbus, OH. Great grandsons: Max, Rich, Franklin, Strong and Thomas Beverly. Sisters: Emily Ben McDonald, Ellenton and Paula Norton, Covington, and brother Johnny Buffington, Stockbridge. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Franklin I. Smith. The oldest of 8 children, she was preceded in death by brothers Wally Buffington, James Buffington, Andrew Buffington, and Roger Buffington.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Coolidge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 98, Coolidge GA 31738 or the Thomas County Public Library, 201 N. Madison Street, Thomasville, GA 31792. Guests may sign the online register at www.allenfh.com
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