Mrs. Bettie A. Smith

Bettie Ann Smith was born on April 29, 1938, in Greenwood, Mississippi. She was the only child of James Nicholson and Lucille Clark. She graduated from Hartigan Elementary School and Wendell Phillips High School. Although being an only child, she was surrounded by a family of strong women who helped raise her. Bettie Ann became a single mother to her son Michael and her daughters, Vivian and Lisa, and raised them in the Englewood neighborhood. Her daughter Lisa has fond memories of summers in Mississippi with those aunts; and the love she felt. She recalls, “When mommy lived on Yates, we did everything together. We got real close. I will miss things like going to buy tea, which she loved and running errands together.” Her son Michael remembers watching their great-grandmother Maggie cooking and appreciates seeing the love & respect mom had for these women. Her daughter Vivian recalls some of the loving sacrifices her mom made. “Even though we were poor, she always made sure we looked nice and were well fed. When we couldn’t afford the laundry mat, mom got a washboard, gathered soap she could find and getting on her knees, scrubbed our clothes in the bathtub for school. We also had a neighbor mom would send us to sometimes to eat, and mom wouldn’t eat.” Bettie Ann always wanted the best for her children and that didn’t change as they got older. She even made her home available to her adult children and their spouses. Anyone who knew Bettie Ann knew that she loved learning, education and had a strong work ethic! She studied Spanish in school and worked for a major brokerage firm (Merrill Lynch) before going to AT&T as an operator and Spanish interpreter. She also went to school for interior decorating, acting, calligraphy, majored in speech, studied floral arrangements, sewed, and crocheted. After retiring in her 60’s she got her Real Estate license & worked for Coldwell Banker. She truly had many talents and strengths. But before selling Real Estate she met the love of her life, Gertha Smith, while catering a family friend’s wedding. His daughter Mitzy remembers how they connected at the wedding, as Bettie asked Gertha to dance. Later when Bettie’s daughters invited her to a picnic, they connected again and their love story began. On July 13, 1991, Bettie and Gertha were married, and for over 30 years, no one made her happy like him! Gertha says; “I loved taking care of her and she loved taking care of me. Bettie’s the smartest woman I know, and we always had fun together!” Her stepdaughter Mitzy says, “Momma Bettie has always been there for my dad, me, the boys, and the great grands through birthday parties, baby showers, and graduations. Even though she is not my birth mom, she treated me as her own and I love her for that.” Bettie was protective of her loved ones. She was known for texting her adult children and grandchildren, checking on them if there was bad weather, even when they lived in another state. She always wanted to help others and created many lasting relationships. Her granddaughter Meghan remembers running errands with her this past fall. “Everywhere we went, Grammy knew people by name. At the post office, she asked the clerk how his wife was doing. When she walked into The Grand Chinese Kitchen on 87th street, everyone said ‘hi Mrs. Smith!’ and she’d make signs for their restaurant. When buying lottery tickets, she asked the cashier how his college courses were going. I’m glad I got to witness her impact on others in her community.” On January 2, 2022, Bettie fell asleep in death. She leaves to cherish her memories her husband Gertha Smith; her son Michael Hopkins (Rita); her daughter Vivian Clardy (James), her daughter Lisa Ganious (Gina); and stepdaughter Mitzy Smith; grandchildren Tjaun, Megha, Miche`, Ryan, Eddie, Jimmy, Stacy, and Isaac; and her many family and friends.

Tributes

Mrs. Bettie A. Smith

April 29, 1938 - January 2, 2022