On December 9, 1932, a beautiful girl named Dorthy Faye Jackson was born to the late Nellie and Bennie Jackson of Huntsville, Texas. Dorothy was the 4th of nine children. In 1942, she joined and was baptized at Hills Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Dorthy completed her education at Sam Houston High School in Huntsville, Texas, and she went on to marry the late Johnny Alfred Smither Sr. They were blessed with two sons, Johnny Alfred Smither Jr., and James Michael Smither Sr. On a later date, Dorthy relocated to Galveston, Texas, where she resided for over sixty years.

Dorthy faithfully continued her spiritual journey with the Ave L Baptist Church in Galveston, Texas, where she eagerly attended for over 58 years. Dorthy received numerous recognitions of love and support from her Church Family and friends. She was gainfully employed with U.T.M.B., and the Galveston County Housing Department for over 20 years while working numerous other jobs, not just for financial support but to share her many God given gifts. She went on to become the proud owner of a Home Health Care Facility for elderly women. In addition, she later married John Tarver; they remained married until his death in August 2015.

Dorthy was known to everyone as "Aunt Sister", and she demonstrated over and over again what a good Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Niece, and Cousin should be through her continued support and outstanding actions of love.

She often fed the hungry and helped the homeless, whether it was someone in the family circle or someone who did not know where their family was.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Tarver, parents, Nellie and Bennie Jackson, Johnny Alfred Smither Sr., son: Johnny Alfred Smither Jr., siblings: Willie Lee McGowan, Elrosie Price, Bennie Eva Shurn, Naomi Floyd, Phyllis Jackson, James Jackson, Bennie Ray Jackson; and special Cousin, Mader Hedspetch.

She leaves to cherish her memory, son, James Michael Smither Sr. (Lamarque, TX); brother: Rev. Billy Jackson Jr. (De Berry, TX), Daughter In Laws, Carolyn Smither (Galveston, TX), and Julia Faye Tottenham (Texas City), (10) Grandchildren, a host of Great and Great - Great Grand Children, special grandson, Naeem Taylor, Special Care Loving nieces, Sherron Gruyarloe (Denver, Colorado), Margaret Archie Taylor (Houston, Texas), and Deborah K (Bryan, TX), along with Cousin Christine Edwards (Las Vegas). Lastly, she left to love her memory, The Galveston, TX Ave L Baptist Church Members, special helpers Frankie Taylor (Houston, TX) and Shelia Brown (Lamarque, TX), along with neighbors Douglas and Karen Domier, and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.