Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Edgewood Hall at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, GA with Reverend Gary Tankersley and Reverend Kevin McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett, Alabama at 3:00 PM the same afternoon.
Betty was born in LaGrange, GA on April 28, 1932 to the late Robert McKinnon and Odell Jones McKinnon Carroll Colvin. She was married to the late Reverend Edward Lee Smallwood from January 16, 1951 until his death on August 28, 2002. They pastored several Churches of the Nazarene in Alabama from 1953-1961: Bessemer, Anniston and Opelika. They also pastored the Congregational Christian Church in Columbus, GA from 1966-1969. She was a strong Christian woman whose life bore witness to God’s faithfulness. She was a member of Landmark Nazarene in Phenix City, AL.
Betty graduated from Auburn University in 1961 with a BS in Secondary English Education and was hired by Muscogee County School District. She taught English at Arnold Jr. High from 1961-1967 and Hardaway High School from 1967-1976. From 1976-1986 she served as the District Secondary English Consultant. During this time she completed an EdD from Auburn University. She earned a Master’s degree, 6th year certification, and 7th year certification in Administration and Supervision from Georgia State University. She served as the Director of Secondary Education from 1986-1994.
Survivors include her son: Mike Smallwood; daughter: Dr. Lisa Smallwood Skinner (Reverend Doctor Jeff); grandson: Blaine Skinner; granddaughter: Hayden Skinner; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her siblings and their spouses: Jack McKinnon (Ethel), Martha Carroll Looney (Bobby), and Larry Carroll (Jereleene); her daughter-in-law: Josie Betts Smallwood; her brother-in-law and his wife: Kennis Smallwood (Bernice), her brother-in-law: Clinton Smallwood; her sister-in-law and her husband: Audrey Smallwood Robbins (Richard); numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Annette Wade who stayed tirelessly by Betty’s side during her last days and helped her pass from this life to heaven.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Smallwood family.
