Doris Louise Smith Koerth, age 85, of Shelby, Texas, peacefully joined her Heavenly Father on August 10, 2026.

Born on February 1, 1941, in Shelby, Texas, Doris was the beloved daughter of Milford T. Smith Sr. and Emma Neumann Smith. She spent her life rooted in the Shelby community she loved and was known for her strong faith, hard work, and devotion to family.

Doris attended Round Top-Carmine High School and, as a young woman, enjoyed spending time dancing at halls throughout the area, including La Bahia, Burton, Round Top, and Carmine. Growing up, she helped on the family farm and later played an essential role in helping operate a dairy farm for over 30 years. As the chief washer and stall cleaner of the registered Holsteins shown by her children and granddaughter at county and state livestock shows, Doris took great pride in her family's accomplishments.

A devoted homemaker and mother of five, Doris lovingly raised four daughters and one son. She was always willing to babysit for family and friends whenever needed and shared a particularly special bond with her first granddaughter, Monica Reeves. Their close relationship remained a treasured part of both their lives.

Doris was known for her generous spirit and caring nature. Whether cooking meals for hay haulers and milk inspectors, cleaning homes, or serving as a caregiver to those in need, she was always willing to lend a helping hand. She continued caring for others until declining health, including dementia and heart-related illnesses, no longer allowed her to do so.

Her faith was an important part of her life. Doris was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelby and Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine.

Doris's love for her family ran deep, and she was steadfastly loyal to those she held dear. She strived to live a life marked by honesty, respect, and compassion for others. While she was quick to help and slow to ask for anything in return, those who she thought crossed her learned that she was not one to forget easily.

One of her favorite sayings to her kids: “If you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all!”

Like many, Doris experienced difficult seasons throughout her life, including struggles with mental health. In her final years, she faced the effects of vascular dementia with the same strength and determination that carried her through life's many challenges.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milford T. and Emma Smith; her brother and sister-in-law, Milford and Melba Smith Jr.; her grandson, Justin Joswiak; and her great-granddaughters, Shoshanna Warner and Lux Warner.

Doris is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Becky Krebs of Burton; Cindy and Timothy Joswiak of Brenham; Vicky and Doyle Reeves of Burton; and Wendy and David Warner Sr. of Burton; her son, Danny Koerth of Caldwell; her grandchildren, Monica Reeves, John and Megan Joswiak, Jacob and Brittany Joswiak, Tech Sergeant David and Bailey Warner Jr., Tyler Krebs, Rachel and Cullen Jozwiak, and Makaylah, Jace, Jaxon, and Riverly Koerth; and her great-grandchildren, Iylee, Imerlyn, and Jagger Joswiak, Pierson Joswiak, Elijah and Abel Warner and Briggs Jozwiak.

Doris will be remembered for her warm heart, gentle spirit, unwavering work ethic, and deep love for her family.

Her legacy lives on in the generations she helped raise, the lives she touched, and the faith she carried throughout her life.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23.

Funeral arrangements for Doris Smith Koerth are entrusted to Fayette Memorial Funeral Home, please visit www.fayettememorialfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave your condolences for the family.

Pallbearers: Steven Smith, Gary Smith, Jacob Joswiak, Tyler Krebs, Monica Reeves, Rachel Jozwiak and Makaylah Koerth.

Honorary Pallbearers: Tech Sergeant David Warner Jr., Jace, Jaxon & Riverly Koerth.

A grave side service will be held at Nassau Cemetery on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Rockdale Estates and Rehabilitation for their loving care and friendship to Doris during her stay with them.

In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you plant something beautiful or simply pause in the gentle awakening of morning light in remembrance of our dear mother.