Others Magazine

The last remaining Brigadier of The Salvation Army Australia Territory, Dorothy Smyth, was promoted to glory on 16 August 2022, aged 93. Dorothy entered her eternal reward, walking home with Jesus after faithfully serving as a Salvation Army officer for almost 70 years.

Dorothy Elizabeth Stephens was born on 29 September 1928 at French’s Forest in Sydney. On 17 March 1952, she entered Officer Training College from her home corps in Burwood (NSW) as a cadet in the Intercessors session. Following her commissioning on 15 January 1953, Dorothy was appointed Cadet Sergeant at the Officer Training College.

Corps officership followed, commencing in 1954 through to December 1956, where she served sequentially in corps at West Wallsend, Forest Lodge and Young. An appointment followed at the Newcastle and Central NSW Division between 1957 and 1958. This was followed by just over 10 years of service in Papua New Guinea in various territorial roles.

Dorothy then became Assistant Territorial Youth Secretary in 1970 and was appointed to the Finance Department for three months immediately before marrying Brigadier Lionel Crown on 24 April 1971 and becoming stepmother to Graham, Margaret, Gwenneth and Robert Crown.

Dorothy commenced as a Divisional Officer of the Sydney Central Division, where Lionel served as Divisional Chancellor. Lionel was appointed as Divisional Commander and Dorothy Divisional Home League Secretary in West NSW from March 1973 to January 1975, then Divisional Commander and Director of Women’s Organisations 1975-1976 in North NSW.

Alongside Brigadier Lionel as Provincial Commander, they served in Papua New Guinea from October 1976 to January 1979 before taking on their final appointment as corps officers at Granville (NSW). They retired on 1 January 1980.

Lionel was Promoted to Glory on 16 May 1999. Brigadier Dorothy then met and married Dr Frank Smyth on 19 June 2004. They enjoyed five and a half years together before Frank’s promotion to glory on 19 December 2009.

In retirement, Dorothy, together with Lionel, commenced Wills and Bequests in Brisbane and, on their move to Riverview Gardens Independent Living Units, their care for ‘others’ ministry continued, and Dorothy carried on this ministry after Lionel was promoted to glory.

Dorothy enjoyed keeping in touch with her many family members as well as friends in Australia and overseas. Dorothy lived out her sessional name of Intercessors by praying daily and became a prayer warrior for many.

Our love and prayers and heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Graham and Judy Crown, Margaret and Les Woodbury, Gwenneth and Graeme Klee and Robert and Jill Crown, their families and extended families. Also, the Stephens and Smyth families.

“Her master said to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master”
(Matthew 25:23)