Celebrating the life of
Martha "Dolly" Josephine Seay Smith
September 01, 1922 - October 14, 2011
Martha "Dolly" Josephine Seay Smith
-SAVANNAH- Martha "Dolly" Josephine Seay Smith, 89 went to her eternal rest in Christ on Friday, October 14th at Memorial Hospital, she was a resident at John Wesley Villa for many years. "Dolly" was born on Tybee Island; she and her family continue to reside there during the summers. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert Hayne & Louise Parker Seay of Tybee Island and her husband John Patrick Smith.
A graduate of Sacred Heart College in Gastonia, NC, later receiving a degree in Nursing in 1945 from the St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, Savannah. That same year she met and married the love of her life John. Dolly loved hands on nursing and actively worked to improve the lives of others through the practice of medicine. She is well remembered for her long service as a Chatham County public health nurse. She deeply believed in the inherent value and dignity of all people, in their common need for good healthcare; this she manifested through a multitude of life giving and humanity serving endeavors. After retirement she continued to celebrate and cherish life with her husband John through extensive world travel. Dolly volunteered from its meager beginnings at the Social Apostolate of Savannah, also serving in the first group of docents at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and also in the archives of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Dutifully Dolly continued to utilize her nursing skills at Med Bank of Savannah; she would continue to support both physically and financially numerous other health care initiatives directed towards children and the poor of our community.
Survivors include four children: Martha Anne Wayne Woody, Lake Waccamaw, NC, John Robert Smith, Statesboro, Fr. Joseph Anthony Smith, Richmond Hill and Mary Smith Johnson Gary, Savannah. five grandchildren: Robert Wayne, Swan's Quarter, NC., Rose Smith, Atlanta, Martha Grace Wayne, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Shanna Smith, Statesboro and Catherine Counihan of Savannah and one great grandson, Brayden Wayne, Swan's Quarter, NC.
A Roman Catholic, throughout her entire life she lived and witnessed her deep faith and abounding love of Christ and the Church.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 16th at 5:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 6:00 PM at St. James Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church on Monday, October 17th at 11:00 AM.
A private burial will take place in the Catholic Cemetery.
Dolly's family takes this opportunity to publicly express their profound gratitude to Dr. Jack Hogan, as well as the staff of John Wesley Villa for their thorough and attentive care and the gentle manner shown Miss Dolly these many years.
Remembrances: The Cathedral Heritage Fund, 222 East Harris St. Savannah, GA 31401.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of 'Dolly'. I was secretary at Port Wentworth Elementary when she was the public health nurse there and we worked together for a number of years and I treasured her friendship. She was kind enough to invite our youngest son to fish off their dock when we were vacationing at Tybee and he was thrilled. I extend my deepest sympathy to each of you.
- Martha M. Jordan, Rincon, GA
Dear Fr. Joe, Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother. You are in our prayers. Kathy, Tom and the Byrnes Family.
- Byrnes, Richmond Hill, GA
Father Joe, We are sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
- Jim and Joan Lodwick, Savannah, GA
FR.Smith and family We are so sorry for your loss.You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.God bless you all.
- Dwayne and Siriwan Simpson & Family, Savannah, GA
Dear Father Joe and Family, We were sorry to hear about your Mother.You and the Family members will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She was a remarkable woman.
- Marie Smith, Dublin, GA
I was saddened to learn of the passing of 'Dolly'. I was secretary at Port Wentworth Elementary when she was the public health nurse there and we worked together for a number of years and I treasured her friendship. She was kind enough to invite our youngest son to fish off their dock when we were vacationing at Tybee and he was thrilled. I extend my deepest sympathy to each of you.
- Martha M. Jordan, Rincon, GA
Dear Fr. Joe, Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother. You are in our prayers. Kathy, Tom and the Byrnes Family.
- Byrnes, Richmond Hill, GA
Father Joe, We are sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
- Jim and Joan Lodwick, Savannah, GA
FR.Smith and family We are so sorry for your loss.You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.God bless you all.
- Dwayne and Siriwan Simpson & Family, Savannah, GA
Dear Father Joe and Family, We were sorry to hear about your Mother.You and the Family members will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She was a remarkable woman.
- Marie Smith, Dublin, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
