Betty Jo Smith

Betty Jo "BJ" Naranjo-Smith, A Vivacious Light, Dies at 76. BJ was born Betty Jo Rice on July 26, 1939 in Aley, Texas, the third child of Lawrence and Mary "Gussie" Rice. At an early age the family moved to Pottsville, Texas. When BJ was four, the family home was destroyed by a tornado with the family inside. For the rest of her life BJ was deathly afraid of storms. With a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder, she grabbed the dogs and headed for the basement. After the home was destroyed the Rice family moved to Hamilton, Texas where BJ began school. When BJ was 11, they settled in Lovington, New Mexico. While in Lovington she made dear friendships that lasted throughout her life. She graduated high school in 1957 and soon after married Fil Naranjo. Together they built Naranjo Construction. BJ worked tirelessly to make the company a success by designing interiors, sewing endless curtains, and creating all the company newspaper ads. When she wasn't nurturing the company, she focused on her community. She volunteered her creative and fund-raising skills to the Roswell Boys and Girls Club, the Roswell Women's Club, the Roswell Art Museum, and numerous political campaigns. BJ also showed her generous nature in more subtle ways, recognizing when others were in need and finding ways to help. However, as giving as she was, she never cut anyone slack on the tennis court! In 1987, BJ married Dan Laughter and moved to Abilene. Soon after she arrived, she opened a design shop in a building on South 11th. The building had previously been an antique shop and the word 'Antiques' was still painted on the side. Many people stopped at the shop looking for these treasures. As a result BJ started carrying a few antiques on consignment. From this start Antique & Almost was born. BJ's excitement at the discoveries she made in the antiques and art of Texas families inspired her to pursue her certification as an appraiser. This journey culminated in her achieving the highest accreditation in her field—she became one of only 150 ISA Certified Appraisers of Personal Property in the United States and Canada. Her knowledge of antiques & household decorator items helped Antique & Almost become successful. The doors were open for over a quarter of a century, during which time the shop was often voted best antique shop in Abilene. Throughout her life BJ was an artist. From her tenure at Naranjo Construction to her oil paintings, BJ was always collecting and creating beauty. Examples of this can be seen in her collection of art and jewelry as well as in the many central Texas homes where BJ's skills as a decorator have left a lasting mark. In addition to her own art, BJ was an avid supporter of many New Mexico and Texas artists, over-filling her home with their works. Fifteen years ago BJ married the love of her life Ellis Smith. Together they created an oasis on Hollis Drive which celebrates their shared love of antiques, art, gardening, travel, entertaining, learning, and reading. While she could get mildly cross at Ellis when he'd start talking about politics—the only thing that they didn't have in common—she'd quickly let that fade away when she heard him laugh or whistle one of the three songs he knows. He was her best friend and gave her joy and companionship. He cared for her with grace, adoration, and love until the end. BJ was preceded in death by many she loved deeply including her parents, two siblings, and son Michael Fil Naranjo. She is survived by Ellis, daughter Michelle Naranjo, granddaughter Henrietta Haycraft, step-daughter Tracy Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Thursday, June 2nd at 11am at The Epsicopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander Street, Abilene, Texas. Arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or a charity of your choice is requested.