Betty J. Smith

Betty Jean Smith, 91, of Chetopa, passed away at 11:40 a.m., Friday, September 17, 2021, at Freeman West in Joplin.

Betty Jean Smith was born June 2, 1930 in Flint, Michigan to C. Ray and Laura I. (Smith) Falkenstien. She attended a one-room school during grade school. She graduated from the Mount Morris High School in 1948. On March 4, 1949, she was united in marriage to William Tyler “Ty” Smith in Flint, Michigan. Following their marriage, they lived in Michigan for two and a half years until moving to Chetopa, Kansas where they raised their children. Over the years, she drove a school bus for a time. She also helped her husband, Ty in his custodial work at the Bartlett Grade School and the First Baptist Church in Chetopa. They were active members of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 40 years. Betty Jean was also the director of (WMU) Women’s Missionary Union for several years.

Betty Jean cared for her mother until her death. She had also cared for her husband until he preceded her in death on February 4, 1994. Betty always felt she had a “Good contented, happy life and always looking forward to tomorrow.”

 

SURVIVORS INCLUDE:

Three Sons: Bill Smith (Barbara) – Arkansas City, Kansas

Bob Smith – of the home

Steve Smith (Susan) – St. Joseph, Missouri

Six Grandchildren

Eight Great-grandchildren

Two Great-great-grandchildren

In addition to her husband, Ty, she was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Kristina Fisher who passed away when she was nine years of age.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday September 23, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Chetopa, Kansas with Rev. Clarence Newman officiating. The family will receive friends at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Chetopa and these may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, PO Box 346, Chetopa, Kansas 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

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