Bettie Mae Smith, 96, of High Ridge died May 16, 2022, at her home in High Ridge. Mrs. Smith was a Christian and was baptized in 1938. She was a member of Murphy Baptist Church for more than 60 years and was the Sunday school director, preschool director and youth choir counselor. She enjoyed sewing, needlework, plastic canvas, gardening and snapping green beans. Born June 13, 1925, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of the late George Arthur and Elizabeth Stone (Williams) Dunbar.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Peyton Lloyd Smith, who she married Jan. 5, 1945, in St. Louis.
She is survived by six children: Bettie Jean (Larry) Reynolds of Rogersville, Dennis Smith of Valley Park, Patricia (Michael) Arnhart of High Ridge, Barry (Karen) Smith of High Ridge, Mary (Charles) Abell of St. Louis and Laurie (Rodney) Mullins of Keokuk, Iowa; two siblings: Alan (Diana) Dunbar and Margie Vedder, both of Wellsville; 16 grandchildren: Deanna Jean (Alan), Jeff, Penny, David Andrew, Dennis Wayne (Kim), Tracy (Stan), Jeremy (Kim), Jacob (Hannah), Bradley, Kelley (John) McKasy, Christopher (Genevieve), Jessi (Brad), Dustin (Barb), Lindsey (Sean), Patrick (Tracey) and Nicholas; 18 great-grandchildren: Austin, Nathan, Angie, Joe, Seth (Haley), Amelia, Gwen, Charlotte, Sky, Peyton, August, Saul, Mason, Levi, Isaiah, Troy, Odin and Alyssa; one great-great grandchild: Dean, and another great-great-grandchild due in July.
She was preceded in death by two children: Joyce Ann and David Lloyd Smith; two grandchildren: Steven Ray and Stephanie; one great-grandchild: Cheyanne; and two sisters: Madge Whyte and Joan Slavens.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Jay B. Smith Funeral Home, 777 Oakwood Dr., Fenton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, with burial to follow in the Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown. Memorials may be given to the Middletown Cemetery Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Jay B. Smith Funeral Home.