Betty Elnora Martinez

Betty Elnora Martinez passed away peacefully on May 8, 2024. She lived an adventurous 87 years starting with her birth on January 7, 1937, in a tent on the banks of the North Canadian River (now Oklahoma River) in Oklahoma City. Subsequently, her mother- Jewel Armstrong Smith- gave birth to her younger brothers- Jack Smith and Jake Smith- in a hospital with little assistance from Betty’s beloved father Jim Smith.

Betty graduated from Central High School in 1955 and married a musician. Betty managed his music career throughout the region until she was relieved of her marital duties in 1968. The following year, Betty graduated from Oklahoma City University (OCU). For graduate school, she wanted to study law but opted for OCU’s shorter program- an MBA. Her job with Kerr-McGee empowered her to purchase a 1970 Mustang with a 300hp Windsor engine- that remains the pride of her nephews and great-nephews. Betty was such a successful salesperson that the corporate world lured her to Chicago to work for Northern Chemical. Betty used the move as an opportunity to learn to ski in Wisconsin. Soon after learning to ski, Northern Chemical decided they wanted to capitalize on Betty’s southern accent and transferred her to Georgia where she joined the Atlanta Ski Club. On a ski trip, she met a Bostonian playboy. Little did he know, Betty was quite the player herself. Mike and Betty dated- on and off- for 35 years. After retirement, Betty and Mike cruised the Caribbean on the Rigpa- their 43’ sailboat, and she established a permanent home in central Oklahoma. In 2014, Betty retired from sailing and bought a second home in Summit County, Colorado where she skied until the age of 83. A self-proclaimed disco-darling, Betty will be dancing, sailing, and skiing her way in the ever-after.

Betty’s many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews will dearly miss their much-loved aunt and will continue to be inspired by her full life and choice in hobbies and cars. Betty is survived by her brother Jake Smith (wife Genevieve) of Oklahoma City and her longtime boyfriend Michael Byron of Daytona Beach.

Family and friends will be sharing stories of Betty’s life at services- scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens where she will be laid to rest next to her father.