Doris M. Smith passed away on June 17, 2023.

Doris was born on June 22, 1952, in Selma, Alabama to the late Evelyn Milton-Cleveland and William Cleveland. She was the third of eight siblings.

She was educated in the Boston Public School system and will always be remembered for her nurturing and kind hearted ways. Her love made everything sweeter. She was also known for her comedic personality.

Doris met John Drayton in the late 1970’s and formed a beautiful union. They eventually relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in pursuit of entrepreneurship, which led to the purchase of their home, where they resided until his passing. She relocated back to Boston in 1996 where she enjoyed spending time with her mother, family and friends. She then reunited with Ollie Smith and they married.

Doris’ bubbly personality made her shine in the hospitality field, where she worked for many years as a waitress.

She spent a period of time in the St. Joseph Nursing Home. She was nursed back to health by her sister Diane , who paid her daily visits and prepared Doris home cooked meals. Doris’ older brother William would often spend hours and hours on the phone with Doris talking about the ups and downs of life. He was known to shower her with many blessings.

In her golden years, Doris enjoyed babysitting her niece’s children, Madison and Mya. She would often be seen walking in her neighborhood with “my girls”, as she so affectionately called them.

Doris had a special group of sister friends called ‘The Golden Girls” that consisted of Norma Hargrove, Catherine Harris and Patrice Smith. They loved to go to the casino together.

Doris will be truly missed but never forgotten. Our loved ones leave the world, but never our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ollie Smith, parents Evelyn Milton-Cleveland and William Cleveland, siblings Johnnie Leggett and Betty Leggett.

She leaves to cherish her memories James Milton, William Cleveland, Diane Arango, Laverne Leggett, her beloved Godson James Harris, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Thursday, June 29th from 10-11AM. Funeral Service at 11AM. Interment at Oak Law Cemetery.