Bettie Smith Caraway

Bettie Jean Smith Caraway, age 88, has passed into eternity confident in her great hope in Jesus Christ. Surrounded by her loving family, she took her final breath in this life on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Orange Park, Florida and entered eternal life, now experiencing the peace of God that passes all understanding. Bettie was born in Tampa, Florida on April 22, 1927 to Gus and Inez (Mema) Smith. While working for Standard Oil Company in Jacksonville, Bettie met and married Howard Wilson Caraway the love of her life, who passed away in 1969.

She is survived by their four children, Eva Lana Caraway, Linda Ruth Forshee (Gary), Anita Leola Sowers (Chuck) and Howard Wilson Caraway Jr. (Liz); eight grandchildren, Abigail Witt (Jeff), Angela Mills (Ted), Chuckie Sowers (Danielle), Michael Sowers, Trey Caraway, Gary Forshee Jr., Caleb Sowers and Clark Caraway; five great-grandchildren, Betty Witt, Macy Witt, Charlie Sowers, Leola Sowers and Adel Sowers. She was preceded in death by her only sibling, her sister, Maxine Frances Smith. Bettie will be greatly missed by her family and friends and will be remembered as a loving, caring and compassionate mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. All of her family and friends who know The Lord Jesus Christ look forward to seeing her in heaven one day soon while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 22nd from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening at The Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida. A private graveside service for the family will be held on Tuesday June 23rd. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to Community Hospice of North East Florida for their compassionate care.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family.