Jane Strozier Smith

Rebecca Jane Strozier Smith, 88, of Dalton died Monday morning (May 21, 2012) at home, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and caregivers. Jane was a co-founder of Friendship House in 1957 when this community center comprising a thrift shop, a kindergarten and a Mother’s Club was created to serve the needs of impoverished families in the former Happy Top neighborhood in Dalton. Her role, based on a personal experience with a family in great need, was to alert local citizens to the problems and to build and lead a collaboration of women’s church groups to seek and implement solutions. Today, Friendship House provides affordable, quality daycare to babies and young children so that their parents can work to support their families. Children are not turned away due to a family’s inability to pay for the care. Jane was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Dalton serving on committees and in various leadership roles. Among the many community activities in which she participated were the Dalton Senior Housing Board, the Mental Health Association, the Girl Scouts and PTA’s. She is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, John Pleas Smith; one son, Carl Alan Smith ;four daughters and three sons-in-law, Jean and Dick Lowrey, Ellen and Rick King, Anne Walker and Shirley and Gary Westmoreland; grandchildren, Kristen Lowrey, Courtney and Jack Hitchens, Andy King, Mason Westmoreland and Gavin Westmoreland; four step- grandchildren, Anna Skiles Muir, Rob Walker, Paul Walker (Elicia) and Amy Walker; one step great-grandchild, Nickolas (Nick) Walker; very special caregiver Margeana Norris; special friends, Lynne Cassiidy and Marty Erwin; other special caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care and Heartlite Hospice; and a host of friends of all ages. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Searcy and Viola S. Strozier; two sisters, Mary Frances Strozier and Viola Strozier Duncan; one son-in-law, Stan Walker; and many special friends. Services will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Dalton with the Rev. Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday in the atrium of the church between 2 p.m. and the funeral hour at 4 p.m. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery in Dalton. Memorial gifts may be given to: First United Methodist Church of Dalton, 500 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton, GA 30720; or Friendship House, P. O. Box 794, Dalton, GA 30722-0794; or Alzheimer's Association, GA Chapter, 922 E. Morris St., Dalton, GA 30721.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton, (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.