Betty Jo Smith, age 80, of Lady Lake, Florida, and formerly of Waldo, died Sunday morning, October 7, 2012.
On October 23, 1931, Betty was born in Richwood, Ohio, the third of eight children of the late Jesse and Edna (Blanton) Salyer.
She was raised in Waldo, where she graduated from Waldo High School in the Class of 1949.
Shortly following graduation, Betty married her childhood neighbor and high school sweetheart, John H. “Jack” Smith, on June 11, 1950, in Waldo. Together they have cherished their 62 years of marriage.
A pillar of the Waldo community, Betty dedicated herself to the people there as an employee of Rice Hardware for 44 years, and as a Clerk of the Waldo Village Council for over 25 years.
A woman of faith, Betty was an active member of the Waldo United Methodist Church. She also had been a social member of the American Legion in Waldo.
After diligently working most every day of her life, when Betty finally retired in her 70’s she and Jack decided to treat themselves and move to Lady Lake, Florida, in 2006. They made many new friends in Florida and enjoyed playing golf, shuffleboard and domino with them.
Betty was also a member of the T.H.E.M Club and the American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake.
Despite never having children, Betty was a very motherly and caring woman, always there for others helping them any way she could. She also will be remembered fondly for her fun loving and outgoing personality.
She will be dearly missed by her beloved husband, Jack Smith of Lady Lake, Florida; five brothers and one sister: James Salyer of Waldo, Carl Salyer of Marion, Robert (Martha) Salyer of Tennessee, Gary (Sandy) Salyer of Delaware, Patricia (Paul) Coonfare of Radnor, and Dave (Joyce) Salyer of Delaware; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Including her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Salyer; sister-in-law, Elinor Salyer; and father and mother in-law, Bud and Darlene Smith.
Betty’s family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2012, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, Marion. Services celebrating her life will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Waldo United Methodist Church, 141 S. Marion St., Waldo, with Rev. Mary E. Sandberg officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in care of the Waldo United Methodist Church.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Betty’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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