Dorothy Jean (Hunter) Smith

Dorothy Jean (Hunter) Smith 90 of Indianapolis, died April10, 2016 Dorothy was born on November 12, 1925 in Decatur. IL to Orville andJessie (Wolma) Hunter. Dorothy was theoffice manager for Smith Welding and Engineering Company where she retired in1985. A few years later Dorothy became asecretary and guest relations for Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park NorthFuneral Center. She was a member ofWashington Street Presbyterian Church and Queen Esther Chapter #03 Order of theEastern Star, Ladies Oriental Shrine and a life time member of The Ninety NinesInc. and the Indiana Chapter of the Ninety Nines, International Forrester ofFriendship and the Silver Wings, Indianapolis Aero Club. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbandWilliam Thomas “Bud” Smith. Funeralservices will be held on Wednesday April 13, 2016 at Flanner andBuchanan-Floral Park at 11 am with calling one hour prior to the service. Entombment will be in Floral ParkCemetery. Dorothy is survived by hersister Norma Elnore Jones. Onlinecondolences and a complete obituary may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com

Autobiography; Dorothy's parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and this has been home ever since. Was always an adventurous soul. As a teenager stage struck. Thought my life would be in theater. In 1943 was offered and accepted a job with the road company of "George White's Scandals". What a great experience that was. This was during WW ll and there was a great demand for entertainment at military bases which we did as time allowed and also War Bond Rally's. All this was very exciting.

In those days road shows were traveling nine or ten months of the year then back to base to rehearse and prepare for the next season. I returned home to Indy and took a job in a defense plant as WW ll was still going strong. During that time I met the man I later married. In 1944 I signed with "Earl Carrol's Vanities, But was barley out of town until I decided this was not for me. Returned to Indy and in 1945 became Mr. William T. Smith.

My husbands ambition was to own his own business. This came into being in 1953. I was automatically the office person. We were in metal fabrications, specializing in welding. One day a customer's employee came into the office to wait on some work to be completed in the shop. As we talked, he mentioned he was working on his private pilots license. This triggered a long time buried interest in flying. I was one of this man's first passengers and of course that was all it took. I was bound to learn to fly. I called Bottoms and Lamb Flight School at Bob Shank Airport and scheduled my first lesson in 1959. My training started in a J-3 Cub and an Aroncia Chief. I really thought I was hot when I started flying a Piper Tri-Pacer. I received my private license in 1960 and commercial in 1965. Attended my first Ninety Nine meeting in January 1961. What a delightful experience that has been since. Have served in all Chapter Offices and all Committee's. Presently hold Life Membership status. Was especially interested in racing. Have flown in the "Powder Puff Derby", "Angel Derby", Michigan "SMALL" Race, "Illi-Nine Derby" and Indiana "F.A.I.R.". F.A.I.R. chairperson for two years and was instrumental in establishing the F.A.I.R. Board. Remained active with the F.A.I.R. for twenty years or until it terminated. In recent years have enjoyed working on the Indiana timing team at various fly by locations of the "Air Race Classic". Also enjoy working with Daffodil distribution with other Ninety Nines for American Cancer society.