Betty Jane Smith

Betty Jane Smith, 83, of Fort Mill, S.C., a former longtime resident and active community member of Kingston, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2014, in Carolina Medical Center in Pineville, N.C.
She was born April 19, 1931, in Brooklyn, W.Va., the daughter of the late Peyton and Lucy Gravely. Betty graduated valedictorian from Nuttall High School, in Lookout, W.Va., in 1949. She married the love of her life on Christmas Eve in 1951. By her husband's side, she supported America's veterans as a member of the women's auxiliary with the American Legion Post 377 in Pontiac, Mich. She found great joy during her days as a Sunday school teacher at Union Chapel Baptist Church in Kingston. Betty's life was lived through music, dance and family. Her love for Bluegrass, Gospel and many other genres brought joy to not only herself, but everyone around her. As an active member of the senior center in Indian Land, S.C., she was blessed to have made many wonderful friendships and will always be remembered as the beautiful lady who made everyone smile through her song and dance. Betty was a loving wife of 61 years to the late Witson Smith; and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also preceded in death by grandson, Michael John Avery; father, Peyton Gravely; mother, Lucille Gravely; brothers, Allen Gravely and Jack Gravely; and sisters, Virginia Craft, Laurastine Gravely, Jean Heffernan and Janice Casiano.
Survivors include son, Richard Smith (Lori), Myrtle Beach, S.C.; daughters, Suzie Craven (Mike), Fort Mill, S.C., and Pamela Sue Rose, Sandford, N.C.; grandchildren, Jason Avery, Fort Mill, Joe Avery (Allie), Warner Robins, Ga., Bambi Pescasio (Martin), Richland, Wash., Emily Polan (Josh), Lenard, Mich., Christopher Clem, New York, William Clem, Michigan, and Courtney Lynch (Will), Michigan; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Evans Mortuary, Rockwood. Funeral services followed at noon Tuesday, Aug. 5, from the chapel of Evans Mortuary, with the Rev. Ronnie Nickell officiating. Graveside services and interment immediately followed at Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Chapel Baptist Church, 2734 Lawnville Road, Kingston, TN 37763. An online register is available at www.evansmortuary.biz.