Betty Smith

Betty Smith, age 73, left this life Saturday, September 17, 2005 at Hendrick Hospice Care. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Larry Tarver officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Monday, September 19th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX. Betty Jo Stapleton Smith was born on November 4, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to parents Charles Thurman Stapleton and Rosa Mae Tucker Stapleton. She attended school in Dallas and later graduated from high school in Euless, Texas in 1949. She met her future husband, Marvin J. Smith at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas in 1948. They dated for two years and were married on July 3, 1950. Betty worked as a bookkeeper for Central Freight Lines in Dallas and later for Montgomery Wards in Ft. Worth. Their first son, Larry R. Smith, was born March 19, 1953 and Betty became a full-time mother and homemaker. Second son, Jack M. Smith arrived December 17, 1956; and the family moved to Abilene in January of 1960 and started the family business known as Smitty's Auto Supply. Betty and both sons worked in the family business at various times. The business was closed in January 1993 and Marvin retired. Betty was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi and has held many offices in local chapters for over forty years. Betty's greatest joy in life was her family and her home. She and Marvin loved to travel in their motor home with the Eager Beaver Good Sams and The FMCA Roughnecks. They saw much of the United States during many years of motor homing. Betty was preceded in death by both her parents; and a brother, Charles Thurman Stapleton, II. Betty is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband of fifty-five years, Marvin J. Smith; sons: Larry Smith and wife, Sondra and Jack Smith and wife, Karen; grandchildren: Jason Smith and wife, Jennifer; Kayla and husband, Scott Slack; Darla Smith; and Daryl Smith; along with a great-granddaughter: Madisyn E. Slack. Also two sisters: Sue and husband, Bill Dillard and Ruth and husband, Billy Adams; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be sent to Hendrick Hospice Inpatient Care or the American Cancer Society Research Center.