Betty Jane Smith

Born June 2, 1937 in Peoria to Ira Verlin and Jessie Marie (Bunch) Sours, she married Albert Joe Smith on February 28, 1959 in Pekin.

Surviving is her husband of 66 years; two sons, Randy Smith and David (Becky) Smith, both of Canton; two daughters, Marcia Morris of Pekin and Teresa Smith of Peoria; nine grandchildren, Jeff Smith, Matthew (Kelne) Bohler, Mary Jane (Eric) Everrett, Mark (Dawn) Smith, Shaunna (Jake) Sutton, Jason Drowns, Mindy Morris, Jeremy (Aimee) Waller and Kayla (Robert) Moran; 27 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Clarence Sours and one sister, Bessy Carlton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings, Charles Sours, Gene Sours, Billie Sours, Ira Sours, Mildred Kerr, Leona Deros, Mary Arnett, Thelma Chaplin and Dorothy Farrar.

A homemaker, Betty enjoyed fishing, gardening, canning and baking. She also enjoyed playing Bingo and slot machines.

Betty was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Bural will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com