Dorothy Katherine Smith Lentz

Sept. 16, 1927 - Apr. 24, 2013 Dorothy Katherine Smith Lentz, 85, of Troutman, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville after a long illness. She was born in Iredell County on September 16, 1927 to the late Rosa Kate Johnson Smith and George Carr Smith at their home in the Cool Spring community. Dot was married to Franklin Wertz Lentz on December 21, 1946. She was a long-time employee of Troutman Industries and Southern Screw Company. At that time she was a member of the US Steelworkers Union. Later she took courses at Mitchell Community College. She and Wertz had two daughters, Judy Katherine and Joyce Ann. While physically able, she was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Troutman and was a member of the Lutheran Church Women. She was also a Girl Scout Leader while her daughters were in the scouting program. Dot was known for her intricate knitting patterns and her professional seamstress abilities. She was an avid reader and loved dancing and music, especially jazz. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Smith of Eden and Joyce Lentz of Freehold, N.J.; grandchildren, the Rev. Evan R. Smith of McConnellsburg, PA and Shelley Smith Lukjanczuk (Andrew) of Indian Trail; brothers, Gray Smith (Frances) of Miami, AZ and Fred Allen Smith of Mesa, AZ.; two nephews Lawrence Pharr, Jr. (Jean) of Statesville, NC and Gary Smith (Brenda) of AZ; five nieces Jean Pharr Lynch of Fayetteville, NC; Sandy Preston (William) of AZ; Adrianne Smith of AZ; Sonjia S. Smith (Michael) of VA; Jenny Cline (John) of NJ. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Wertz Lentz; sister, Mildred Pharr; and brothers, Hoyle and Jerry Smith, and her son-in-law Eugene R. Smith. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, April 29, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Troutman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman with the Rev. Harvey Mozolak officiating. The body will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the service. Interment services will follow in St. Michael’s cemetery in Troutman. Donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 308, Troutman, NC 28166.