Dorothy Smith Kirk

Aiken – Ms. Dorothy “Dottie” Smith Kirk, 94, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Born in Wilmington, DE, Ms. Kirk was the only child of the late Walter H. and Eva Pearl Collins Smith. She was a graduate of a secretarial college and entered the work world as a local school secretary. In 1952, as a young wife and mother, she moved to Aiken along with the wave of Dupont transfers assigned to the Savannah River Plant. Despite a bit of culture shock, she quickly went about establishing roots, making a home for her family and building bonds within her neighborhood and throughout the community - all stretching throughout the rest of the very full life she created. She was known by all of the children in her Two Notch Road neighborhood as “another mother” who kept a watchful eye out for and door open to not just her children, but to each of those living nearby. After rearing three children and getting her youngest into elementary school, she returned to the out-of-home working world as a salesclerk at Julia’s, Aiken’s foremost dress shop. She eventually returned to her prior career as a secretary in various positions with the administrative offices of the Aiken County Public School System. Her interests and passions were broad, diverse and reflective of her wide range of skills, talents, intellect, compassion and zest for living. She was a sports enthusiast, having been instilled a keen appreciation for and understanding of football and baseball from an early age when attending games with her father. She could be found poolside at swim meets cheering on her children as they swam competitively on The Fermata Club Swim Team. She became an ardent supporter of Aiken High School Hornets during her children’s school years. Later, she was a familiar face cheering on the Silver Bluff Bulldogs, where her youngest daughter was a coach, and USC-Aiken’s women’s volleyball and basketball teams. She was passionate about the game of golf and equally comfortable and excited about a club in hand as she engaged in and won several women’s tournament play at Midland Valley Country Club or when walking the grounds as a member of the gallery at The Masters. She excelled in Bridge and participated in three different clubs at the same time. Having fully embraced her new hometown, she became a horse enthusiast, too. The Aiken Steeplechase was a favorite event, and she’d become a fixture at the rail. In fact, this year’s event would be her final public outing. She was thrilled to be watching the horses run one last time. She was in her element surrounded by those she loved and doted on the most - her children, grandchildren and her precious great-grandchild “Pookie.” Living life to its fullest was not just about fun and games for Dottie. Giving of herself in support of others - to her family and to her community - was also a priority. She was one of the founding members of the Aiken Hospital Auxiliary, where at one point, she held the distinction of oldest and longest-serving volunteers. If you ever walked into the entrance of the Aiken hospital or made a purchase in the gift shop, you likely were helped by Dottie. With a broad smile and outgoing personality, she was the greeter who got to know everyone and before long, everyone in the hospital knew her. Her volunteer work was as varied as her sports interests. She was member of Town & Country, the South Carolina Retired Secretaries, a frequent Christmas bell-ringer for the Salvation Army, and a member of First Presbyterian Church for nearly 70 years. Dottie will be remembered by those who knew her as someone who was interested in others and also was interesting. She never missed an opportunity to go and do and be with family and friends. A favorite place to get away to was the beach - any beach. She was strong and tough, yet, caring and loving. Her openness in including others, speaking her mind, and sharing her unabashed sense of humor revealed how much she never wanted to miss out on anything. All this reveals, too, how very much she will be missed by those who knew and loved her best. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Robert) Stovall, Suwanee, GA, and Kimberly Kirk, Aiken; son, William Billy” (Moo) Kirk, Mt. Pleasant, SC; grandchildren, Awbrey Stovall, Whitney Stovall, Margaret Lee (Brian) Brown, and Molly H. (Clay) Jones; and a great grandchild, Emma Haynsworth Jones. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, April 14, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Conley Zomermaand officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Aiken Hospital Auxiliary, 302 University Pkwy, Aiken, SC 29801; First Presbyterian Church, 224 Barnwell Ave., NW, Aiken, SC 29801; or a charity of one s choice. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Dottie's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Smith Kirk, please visit our flower store.