Dorothy “Dottie” Louise Rahme Smith

Dorothy “Dottie” Louise Rahme Smith passed away on August 5, 2023 in Gonzales, Louisiana at the age of 89. Dottie was born in Charleston, South Carolina on July 15, 1934, to Henry Everett & Lorena Kirkland Rahme. She is survived by five children Karen “KK” Owen, Stephanie (Danny) Musso, Debbie (John) Richardson, Dennis Smith, and David (Monica) Smith, twelve grandchildren Anthony Musso, Angela (Terry) Wiley, Paul (Brooke) Musso, Ryleigh Musso, Brittany (George) Thomas, Brett Reese, Sydney (Taylor) Clotiaux, Randal “Randi” Smith, Mason Smith, Uriah Pate, Amber Pate, Bryn Smith, and 12 great grandchildren. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Henry & Lorena Rahme, brother Robert Rahme, son-in-law Michael Owen, and granddaughter, Terin Smith. Dottie graduated from Fort Pierce High School in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1952 and went on to attend LSU, earning a Bachelors degree in Music Education. At LSU she met the love of her life, Randy, and they were married on August 11, 1956. She was the first female band director hired in East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System and paved the way for many more band directors in Baton Rouge. She began her career at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired and went on to teach elementary and middle school instrumental music in EBR Parish for 20 years. After she retired from the public schools, she started the Band program at Trafton Academy (currently known as the Dunham School) in Baton Rouge from 1981 to 1986. At this point she went to Episcopal High School and started up the instrumental music program there. Following this, she moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi, and became the Director of Trinity Tutored Tots for several years. After 5 years she and Randy returned to Louisiana where Dottie taught private lessons for many years. Dottie enjoyed music throughout her entire life, both instrumental and vocal. She was a founding member of the Baton Rouge Concert Band, a member of Louisiana Music Educators Association, a member of the Baton Rouge Symphony, as well as the Baton Rouge Music Club, where she served a term as president. Most importantly, she served God and her church. Over the course of time, she served at Saint Augustine’s and Saint Luke’s in Baton Rouge, Trinity Episcopal, Yazoo City, Mississippi, and Saint Margaret’s in Baton Rouge. Her gift of music and dedicated service to the choirs at these Episcopal churches are evidence of her faith. Dottie’s service will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to thank the staff of Francois Bend Memory Care for their loving care and would also like to thank the friends who have been so faithful in visiting Dottie. Pallbearers will be Mason, Brett, Terry, Danny, John, and Randy Mayer.