Dorothy Marie Smelser, 79, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home with Sammy Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal.

Mrs. Smelser was born October 29, 1945 in Warren County, Virginia, daughter of the late Oscar Bennett, Sr. and Susie Virginia Bennett.

She loved to travel, enjoyed the beach and truly loved her family. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and many friends.

Mrs. Smelser worked for Dr. Gisela Dengel as a nurse for 10 years.

Surviving is her loving and devoted husband of 57 years, Lynwood D. Smelser; five daughters, Donna Sutphin (Charles) of Front Royal, Tammy Crawford of Front Royal, Dorothy Marie Sutphin (Maury) of Augusta, West Virginia, Jennifer Ross (Dustin) of Stanley and Dorothy V. Sawinski of Greenville, North Carolina; one brother, Oscar “Junior” Bennett of Cross Junction; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a special niece who was like a daughter, Lorriane “Buffy” Showers of Front Royal.

Mrs. Smelser was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Elwood Bennett; and a sister, Lorriane Williams.

Pallbearers will be Hunter Smelser, Tyler Smelser, John Peddle, Delio Lopez, Mark Sine and Jason Sine.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Lillard, Dusty Ross and Randolph Putnam.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.