Obituary of Betty Jean Smith

Betty Jean Smith, 77, former longtime Niotaze resident, went to be with Jesus in her Heavenly Home on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Fort Smith, AR She was born on April 15, 1939, on the family farm near Niotaze to Oney Don and Flora Marie (Bolen) Wilson. Betty grew up on the family farm, attended Niotaze Grade School, and graduated from Havana High School in Havana, KS. She was married in December 1957, at the Niotaze United Methodist Church. Following their marriage they lived in Oxnard, CA, Okinawa, Japan, Boston, MA, and Homestead Air Force Base, FL, while her husband served in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge they returned to Niotaze where she lived until moving to Van Buren, AR. Betty had a strong work ethic while working at Electra, and later at Emerson Electric in Independence for over 20 years. She later worked at Amazon in Coffeyville until retiring. Betty was a member of the Tyro Christian Church for over 30 years, where she was an active volunteer changing the church sign each week for 26 years. She served as treasurer of Niotaze Township for many years and loved studying the history of Niotaze and the surrounding area, Betty also enjoyed woodworking, artistic painting, going to OK Mozart with her sister Jerre, enjoyed feeding the birds, and loved spending time with her family. She was a loving and giving person who loved her family and will be greatly missed. Survivors include her son, Bryan L. Smith and wife Karen of Ozark, MO; her daughter, Lynnet Hardwick and husband David of Van Buren, AR; one brother, George Hoard and wife Nita of Maypearl, TX; two sisters, Dorothy Rink and husband Jim of Havana, KS, and Geraldine "Jerre" Jay of Copan, OK; and five grandchildren, Brenden Smith and wife Sarah, Trevor Smith and wife Hannah, Caleb Hardwick, Claire Perkins and husband Chris, and Connor Hardwick. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, James Hoard; and three sisters, Mary McFarland, Lillie Ledbetter, and Virginia Kenneson. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2016, at the Tyro Christian Church in Tyro, KS with Evangelist David Bycroft officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery at Niotaze, KS. Friends may call on Thursday, October 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the Tyro Christian Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.