Our loving mother and sister Betty Mae (Friebel) Smith passed suddenly, at home on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, a lifelong resident of Redding. She was born at home, on February 1, 1933, the 8th child of Charles and Florence (Calhoun) Friebel. She grew up in a large family home, sharing rooms with 9 other siblings and 3 grandchildren.
An excellent student, she graduated from Shasta Union High School. During high school, she worked four years at the Cascade Theater and in summers was an assistant lifeguard at Lake Redding River Park. After High School, she and Scotty Rathbun were married. Following their divorce, she began a long career at Citizens Utility Company, where she worked for 39 years. She met DeWayne Smith and they were married in 1964. Together they started a home in Redding and raised three children. Betty and DeWayne were married 47 years.
DeWayne and Betty loved exploring the outdoors often camping and fishing. Often, they would camp at Hat Creek in their RV. Another passion was their motorcycle. With DeWayne driving and Betty on the back, they drove off with their motorcycle club to Washington state, Canada, and several trips in and out of California.
Betty loved her role as homemaker and that showed in her home and cooking. At other times they would host backyard BBQs for family and friends. All their grandchildren learned to swim in their pool. Betty enjoyed family history having recorded most of her ancestral background. She was especially proud of her Native American heritage.
She was preceded in death by DeWayne (2011) and her son Douglas (2018). Survivors are sons Greg Rathbun (Linda), Chris Rathbun (Tina), brother Allen Friebel (Nancy) of Los Gatos, CA, and sister Shirley Knox (Byron) from Gridley, CA, 5 grandchildren Kelli (Rob) of Santa Rosa, CA, Jeff (Feuy) of Redding, CA, Shane of New Zealand, Kylie (Casey) of Redding, CA, Jason (Mandi) of McKinleyville, CA and 8 great grandchildren; Isa, Diego, Madelyn, Alexis, Colton, Olivia, Grayson and Cameron.
A graveside service will be held at McDonalds’ Chapel & Redding Memorial Park, 1275 Continental St., Redding, CA on May 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shasta Historical Society in Redding or the Wintu Cultural Museum in the City of Shasta Lake.
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