Betty Lou Smith

Betty Lou Tolman 1939-2021

Betty Lou Smith, 82, of 964 Greenfield Drive, died on Tuesday Morning April 13th in El Cajon, CA.

She was born April 9th, 1939 on Easter Sunday to Dora and Clarence Tolman at her Great Aunt and Uncle’s home on Old Point Avenue in Madison, Maine. The home of Roscoe and Verna Sidell. They told their son Jerry that the Easter Bunny had left her. She grew up in Maine and went to College at Farmington State Teachers College. She loved teaching!! She graduated in 1961 and married Richard in 1962. She got married in Phoenix, Arizona at her Aunt Thera and Uncle Harry’s house. They moved to San Diego in 1967 and bought the house on Greenfield Drive where she lived until December of 2021 when she moved into an assisted living home, Lo-Har. She lived with John and Sheila the last 7 years, until she just needed more help than they could do. The gals at Lo-Har loved on her and have so many cute stories for such a short time with them. They were so helpful and loved her like she was their grandma! She passed peacefully in her sleep with no pain. Sheila, John, and Diane Ashe (her best friend) were able to be with her throughout the day before she passed. She was so ready to be with Jesus in heaven!! Oh, what a reunion she must have had. We were able to have a birthday party for her the week before to ring in her 82nd birthday. She seemed to really enjoy the family and friends who were there. She went downhill very fast after having a mini stroke a couple nights before she passed.

She was the sixth child of Clarence and Dora Tolman. She was predeceased by her daughter Sharon Smith, her parents, three brothers, Clarence Jr. at age 2 in 1939, Charles in 2016, Bill in 2016. Three sisters, Shirley Whitman in 2006, Pat Reed in 2016, Viola Hayden in 2021.

She is survived by her ex-husband Richard Smith, father of her children. Her two daughters and their husband’s, Sheila and John Callaway, Susie and Michael Rodriguez. Her son Steve Smithi. Her grandkids Jordan Knepper, and Jacob and Sophie Smith.

I’m not sure what else to say, but she was an amazing Christian example to all who knew her, A great mother, who always put her children first. She will be greatly missed!! Love you always mama!!

Memorial Service will take place on, Tuesday May 4th, 6pm at Shadow Mountain Community Church

2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019