Bettye Lee Smith

Bettye Lee Winn Smith was born to William Franklin and Hattie Horsley Winn on April 23, 1920, and passed away on October 28, 2017 at Christian Care Assisted Living in Mesquite, TX. She was born in Tazewell, which is a rural area located 2 miles south of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Bettye was the youngest of five children which included three boys and two girls; all of whom preceded her in death.

Bettye graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, and attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. She completed her nurses training at St. Paul’s Hospital Nursing School, and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1940. She worked many years at St. Paul and Baylor hospitals, with a substantial amount of her nursing services devoted to private duty. Her life was about caring for others, and she showed in it many years over her lifetime.

Bettye had two children. They were John Winn Faris and Carolyn Ann Smith Winger. Carolyn preceded her mother in death in 2005. Bettye is survived by her son, John, his wife Sherrie, as well as by grandchildren Gregory William Faris, Sharlene Ann Eckhardt, Scott Monroe Faris, Jennifer Michelle Kent, Sarah Eddings, and many loving great grandchildren who loved their kind, generous, and continually encouraging grandmother. Her niece, Lou Ann Stare, who was like a daughter to her, and nephew, William Paul Grant, and their families have had a close and loving relationship with Bettye throughout her life. All have all been a tremendous source of encouragement, love, and support. Bettye was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and was very active in the congregation until health challenges limited her activities.

Bettye retired from nursing in 1983, and she continued to provide support to the community in so many ways. She volunteered at the Southeast Dallas Emergency Food centers for nine years, and served on that Board for three years. She loved sewing with her church group, and made many items that were provided to Nursing Homes. She was an accomplished quilt maker, and donated many high quality quilts to charity for auction, so that the funds derived could be for charitable uses. Her quilting show in Sulphur Springs at the age of 90 exhibited her continual talents that she was eager to share with others.

Bettye will always be remembered as a very generous, unselfish and caring lady who loved her family, community, and her church. We are all richer in love and life as a result of her kindness, and her example of a Christian life. We will all miss her.

There will be a reception following he funeral service at Grove Hill Funeral Home.