Betty Allen Smith Lott

Betty Allen Smith Lott passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. Her greatest wish was to live to see her six grandchildren grow up. At 95 years of age, she lived to see six great-children, all born in the last 4 years.

Funeral service will be on Monday, January 8 at 11:00 am at The First United Methodist Church, 800 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL.

Born September 23, 1928 in Columbus, Georgia to James T. Smith and Mary Neal Allen Smith. She grew up at 1236 4th Ave, Columbus in her grandmother’s (Mary Sedge Robertson Allen) home. She graduated from Auburn University in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and loved cheering for the basketball team. Later, she taught 4th grade in Columbus, teaching classes of 40 students. Then she worked for the Gas Light Company as a home extension agent.

On a cruise ship, Betty celebrated her 21st birthday, while traveling to visit her brother, Jimmy Smith, working in Brazil, and lived there for a year. She loved to tell the story of a trip to New York City in the early 1950s while a young woman. Betty really wanted to see the play, “The King and I,” but none of her companions were willing to go. Betty, even though nervous to travel alone, found a way to get to the theater and see the play. She was always proud to relate that she saw Yule Brenner on Broadway, how beautiful the musical was, and most importantly, that she got there all on her own.

She was married to Robert Pitchford Lott from Selma, AL in Columbus on March 26, 1955. They met on a blind date while he was an Infantry Officer stationed at Ft. Benning. They were happily married for 68 years. Their proudest achievements are their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Four children: Margaret Allen Lott (Carl Schroeder) of Olympia, WA; Mary Elizabeth Chedid of St. Petersburg, FL; Robert P. Lott, Jr. (Leslie) of Huntsville, AL; and James Lewis Lott of Tuscaloosa. Grandchildren Elena Zubowicz, James Zubowicz, Jamila Chedid Kravarusic (Vanja), John Tannous Chedid, John Pitchford Lott (Kelli), Brantley Lott Valdyke (Wesley). Great Grandchildren: Wyatt Evan, Adelaide Allen, Una, Anja, Harrison Pitchford, and Charlotte Louise.

Betty proved herself to be a strong and independent Army wife. She learned to move and maintain her family with grace throughout her husband’s 30-year army career. They moved, often every year, from Army posts at Ft. Benning, GA, overseas to Germany, to Ft. Leavenworth, KS to Ft. Belvoir, VA, to Ft. Dix, NJ, to Ft. Harrison, IN, during several unaccompanied tours and during a combat tour in Vietnam. In each Army quarters they were assigned, she made their home a warm, inviting, and loving place to live.

After her husband retired from the Army, they relocated to Tuscaloosa where they have lived for 40 years. For 20 years she delighted in helping customers in the children’s department at Pizitz/McRae’s/Belk department store. Many may remember the kind sales lady who helped them find just the right outfit for their special occasion. They joined the congregation of the First United Methodist Church and The Fannie Mae Lee Sunday School Class and enjoyed worshiping there for over 40 years. Betty was a member of the P.E.O. and the Woodland Hills Garden Club. Together, she and her husband spent several years remodeling a home in Woodland Hills, where they enjoyed planting azaleas and camellias. In later years, she loved sitting in her front porch rocking chair with her husband and watching the birds, admiring her flowers, and enjoying the sunshine.

She had an artist’s creative talent that she used in decorating her home for every holiday, arranging flowers for special occasions, and making her home into a warm and loving space for her family.

Betty was always there to listen, give an encouraging smile, and a cheerful hello. Many times her children have been stopped by a church member, a previous customer, a neighbor, a receptionist at a medical office, or her nurse or physical therapist, with the words, “Your mother is the kindest, sweetest lady. We just love her.” Yes, thank you, we all know how blessed we are to have had our mother.

She was a kind and gentle soul. Her husband, Bob, took to calling her, “Smile,” due to her happy, positive disposition. She had a calm and steady presence and valued her family and her friends above all else. And we in turn value her and will keep her memory in our hearts all our days. Her kind spirit lives on in all who knew her.