Smith, Betty J.

Mrs. Betty J. Smith, age 79, passed away early Friday morning, October 13, 2006, at The Poppen Residence of Harbor Hospice. She was born July 8, 1927 in Lantz, Maryland and moved to Muskegon in 1956. Mrs. Smith lived in Muskegon until 1970, she then moved to Nebraska for 6 years, New Jersey for 2 years, and Alabama for 12 years, before returning back to Muskegon after retirement in August of 1990. In her life, Betty enjoyed bowling, dinner club, dancing, and music. She especially loved kids, working in the PTA, and doing volunteer assistance in the classroom. Her family was the center of her life. She created a home which was open and welcoming. A stranger was not a stranger for long in her house. Her sharp wit and sense of humor, natural compassion and sensitivity made everyone feel special. Betty was, in a sense, a builder. A builder of confidence, of values, and of the human spirit. She will be dearly missed. On February 24, 1945, she married James R. Smith in Hagerstown, Maryland and he survives her along with 2 daughters, Jamie (Charles) Cathcart of Louisville, KY and Brenda (Harold) Wagner of Muskegon; 1 son, Dennis J. (Sibyl) Smith of Spring Lake; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grand-children; 1 brother; 3 sisters; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 1 brother and 1 sister. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Monday at The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 231-759-8565 with Rev. Lewis H. Glick officiating. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION will be one hour prior to the service Monday morning. MEMORIALS to the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice House or the Humane Society will be appreciated.