Betty E. Smith

Age: 84 City of Residence: Lebanon, IndianaDate of Death: Saturday, February 16, 2013Place of Death: at her residence in Lebanon, IndianaBetty E. Smith was born in Lebanon, Indiana on October 12, 1928 a daughter of the late Basil and Laura (Allagre) Merrill. She grew up in both, Lebanon and Sheridan, splitting her time living with both her parents and her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Carmel, whom she also called Mom and Dad and considered their children as her brothers and sister.In 1947, she was married to Harold V. Smith and took on the life of a military wife, traveling throughout the United States with home base being San Diego, California. They always seemed to come back to Lebanon at least every other year to visit family and had huge reunions at Memorial Park. Her favorite part of military life was the time spent in Antigua British West Indies, which was Harold’s last duty station along with the two daughters. She loved that place and reminisced sometimes about it as often as other would listen. She and Harold divorced after 43 years of marriage. Her sustaining faith in the Lord kept her going, as did her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had strongly held religious beliefs, she eagerly shared and passed on to her children, even in hard times she thanked and praised the Lord, she knew was always there.Her hobbies over the years were knitting and crocheting at which she became an expert. She loved crossword puzzles. Later in life her son John taught her how to paint pictures, she was happy to paint for whoever asked. She enjoyed painting Mrs. Butterworth bottles and painted many of those. Her biggest hobby was conveying Love, Love, Love to her family.She is survived by her son, John Smith and wife, Lynda of Lebanon; two daughters, Debra Stump of Phoenix, Arizona, and Denise Matherly of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and her beloved cousin/sister, Marilyn Rowland of Sheridan, Indiana. She is also survived by many grandchildren including John’s children, Johnna, Jason, and Jessica; Debbie’s children, Dean, Delaine, and Ross; Denise’s children, Lydia, Laura, Katie and Amanda; Sonny’s daughter, Pam; and Marilyn’s children, Sandy, Cathy, Sara, Bart, Bobby, and Jack.Betty leaves behind at least twenty-three great grandchildren and many more nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Harold “Sonny” Smith, two grandchildren; four brothers, Keneth Merrill, Charles “Bud” Merrill, Donald Merrill, and Jack Merrill; a sister, Virginia; two cousins/brothers, Bill Merrill and Keneth Merrill; and her extended parents, Carmel and Lucy Merrill. To all who knew and loved her, “Love, Love, Love!”Funeral Services are planned for Saturday, February 23, 2013, at 11: 00 a.m., at Myers Chapel of Memories, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon with Rev. Richard Burdett, officiating.Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the funeral home in Lebanon.Interment will follow at Crownview Cemetery in Sheridan, IndianaMemorials may be made to The Salvation Army Indiana Division Indiana Divisional Headquarters 3100 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Betty E. Smith

February 17, 2013