Doris Jean Smith passed away suddenly January 18, 2012. She was born at her Great Aunt Bessie Wilson’s Maternity Home in Hemet, CA on April 15, 1936.

Her parents Richard and Ellen (Sheld) Milholland were living in Long Valley at the time (Temecula Wine Country). They moved to the Tucalota Valley and later to Auld Valley (Lake Skinner) where Doris attended first grade at Hyatt. Doris’ grandparents, Dan and Lulu (Abbott) Sheld lived nearby.

The next year the family purchased a ranch in Sage near her grandparents, George and Nellie (Morris) Milholland. She had four brothers, Robert (killed in an auto accident in 1983), Jerry (Mimi) of Winchester, Lenard (Katie) of Spokane and Eldon of Hemet/Sage.

Doris attended Hemet Union High School, graduating in 1954. She worked at Murphy’s Drugstore until her marriage to Robert U. Smith “Red” of Yuma. For a time Doris worked at Sprouse-Ritz department store. Doris became one of the first female volunteer firemen of the Sage Fire Department. She and Red both went out on calls.

In 1972 Doris helped form the “Roadrunners”, an auxiliary of the volunteer fire department that raises funds for equipment. She provided crafts and helped put on the annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast. Doris and Red retired to East Hemet near where her great-grandparents settled in 1890.

Doris enjoyed volunteering for the Hemet Hospice, singing in choir at the 1st Baptist Church in San Jacinto, crocheting and making crafts. Doris was greatly loved by family and friends. She was a devoted wife and beloved mother.

Besides Red, in her dearly loved family she leaves Myrtle Cassell (Roger) of Montclair, Perry Smith (Roxane) of Alameda and in Valle Vista both Jeanie Adams (R. B.), and Nellie Wilson (Scott); twelve grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

The memorial service will be Sunday, January 22nd at 2:00 pm at Harford’s (Inland Memorial Funeral Home). Graveside with family 9:30 am Monday the 23rd at the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery.

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