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February 20, 2013

Betty E. Smith

Betty E. Smith, 84, of Lebanon, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at her residence in Lebanon.

She was born on Oct. 12, 1928, in Lebanon, a daughter of the now late Basil and Laura (Allagre) Merrill.

She grew up in both Lebanon and Sheridan, splitting her time living with both her parents and her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Carmel, whom she also called Mom and Dad and considered their children as her brothers and sister.

She married Harold V. Smith in 1947 and took on the life of a military wife, traveling throughout the United States with home base being San Diego, Calif. They always seemed to come back to Lebanon at least every other year to visit family and had huge reunions at Lebanon Memorial Park. Her favorite part of military life was the time spent in Antigua British West Indies, which was Harold’s last duty station along with the two daughters. She loved that place and reminisced sometimes about it as often as other would listen.

She and Harold divorced after 43 years of marriage. Her sustaining faith in the Lord kept her going, as did her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had strongly held religious beliefs that she eagerly shared and passed on to her children. Even in hard times she thanked and praised the Lord she knew was always there.

Her hobbies over the years were knitting and crocheting, at which she became an expert. She loved crossword puzzles. Later in life her son John taught her how to paint pictures, sand he was happy to paint for whoever asked. She enjoyed painting Mrs. Butterworth bottles and painted many of those. Her biggest hobby was conveying love, love, love to her family.

She is survived by her son, John Smith and wife Lynda of Lebanon; two daughters, Debra Stump of Phoenix, Ariz., and Denise Matherly of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and her beloved cousin/sister, Marilyn Rowland of Sheridan. She is also survived by many grandchildren including John’s children, Johnna, Jason, and Jessica; Debbie’s children, Dean, Delaine, and Ross; Denise’s children, Lydia, Laura, Katie and Amanda; Sonny’s daughter, Pam; and Marilyn’s children, Sandy, Cathy, Sara, Bart, Bobby, and Jack.

Betty leaves behind at least 23 great-grandchildren and many more nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son Harold “Sonny” Smith; two grandchildren; four brothers, Keneth Merrill, Charles “Bud” Merrill, Donald Merrill, and Jack Merrill; sister Virginia; two cousins/brothers, Bill Merrill and Keneth Merrill; and her extended parents, Carmel and Lucy Merrill.

To all who knew and loved her, “love, love, love!”

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Myers Chapel of Memories, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon.

Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Burdett officiating.

Interment will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.

Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army Indiana Division, Indiana Divisional Headquarters, 3100 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

Online condolences may be made at myersmortuary.com.

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