Mrs. Dorothy Jean Argroves Smith age 80 of Thomaston Ga, died Wednesday May 31, 2023 at her residence.

Born Dorothy Jean Argroves on November 29, 1942 to Carl and Mable Argroves, she grew up with 5 siblings, Carl Jr (Jerry), James Richard (Jimmy), Carol Dianne, Helen Gail and Mary Louise.

She met Billy W Smith also known as Smitty, at a young age and married soon after.  While stationed at Dauphin Island in Mobile, Al and serving in the Air Force they welcomed their first of three baby girls, Tracy.  After moving back to Thomaston, Georgia they added 2 more girls, Teresa and Gina, to complete their family.

While raising her girls she worked as a seamstress at William Carter Company  Many of the outfits they donned were hand made with love.  While they were still young girls Dorothy Jean started training them to be excellent cooks and housekeepers.  During the girls' school years she worked as a secretary for Worthy Jr. High School.  This allowed her to be with them during the Summers and school holidays.
As her children got older she had aspirations of having her own career.  Her love for people motivated her to become a life insurance agent for Liberty National Insurance in which she excelled and achieved success.  Her customers became more like family and she treated them as such.

After her career with Liberty National she accepted a position as a receptionist for Brown Insurance Agency where she created solid friendships of a lifetime.

In 1995 Smitty and Jean began a challenging but rewarding career as restaurant owners and established Smitty's Café in Woodbury, Georgia.  The hard work was offset by the many cherished friendships cultivated during this time.

Always the caregiver, retirement afforded more time to spend with her family and loved ones.  Her entire life was lived with family at the forefront and she instilled a strong sense of family in her girls.

Being raised a true southern lady, she believed in creating an immaculate, warm and cozy home for her family.  She strongly believed in a wholesome family environment where there were home cooked meals around the table every night.  She raised her daughters to be strong, independent and capable women.  Honesty, integrity, accountability, responsibility and working hard to reach your goals are the foundations used to live her life and raise her family.  She was the strongest and classiest lady until the time she drew her last breath on this earth.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Billy Walter Smith, brothers Carl Argroves Jr., Jim Argroves, sister Carol Dianne Woodall.

Survivors include her daughters Mrs. Tracy (Derrick) Keeter of Thomaston Ga, Mrs. Teresa (Gary) Meier of Thomaston Ga, Mrs. Gina (Kerry) Carson of Thomaston Ga, sisters Mrs. Helen Gail (Loren) Teal of Thomaston Ga, Mrs. Mary Louise (Jim) Barnes of Manchester Ga. Grandchildren Zac Ford, Adam Ford, Tyler Ford, Brent Martin, Brian Martin, Keri Lynn (Josh) Smith & Ben Carson, great Grandchildren Ansleigh Ford, Braxton Ford, Ryder Ford, and Connor & Evan Smith.

The family will receive friends at Coggins Funeral Home on Friday June 2, 2023  from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Argroves Scholarship Fund c/o Vonda Bailey at Upson Lee High School or to Davita Thomaston Dialysis center at 1065 Highway 19 North Thomaston Ga. 30286.