Bette German Smith

In loving memory of Bette German Smith, born September 11th, 1933, and passed away at the home of her daughter in Oriental, North Carolina, November 6th, 2025, at 92 years of age from natural causes while on hospice care. She was born in New Windsor, New York to Theodore German and Robena MacArthur and was the youngest of three children. Bette is now in Heaven with her parents, older siblings, husband and other family members. Her husband, Albert Edward Smith, expired preceded her in death September 18, 2020, at 85 years of age from progression of stomach cancer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Albert was born February 6th, 1935, in Blooming Grove, New York to Grant R. Smith and Julia Vandermeulen. He was raised on a working a dairy farm but later became a Journeyman carpenter with fantastic woodworking skills he lovingly shared with others.

They both enjoyed camping, gardening and living between Hudson Valley, New York area and central Florida in their younger days. They also both shared a love of cats, local day trips, scrabble, handwork of crochet and cross-stitch works of art, family meals, and spending time with local grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bette was a homemaker involved in local city council activities and community improvement initiatives in her original hometown area of Newburgh, New York. She later became involved as a volunteer in her senior years with a group for national constitutional rights advocacy among other causes.

Survivors include but are not limited to the children, Gretchen Paffendorf of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bruce Paffendorf of St Augustine, Florida, and Donna Falquero of Oriental, North Carolina along with their spouses and five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

There will be a family gathering for a celebration of life. Correspondence may be sent to Donna Falquero, PO Box 638, Oriental, NC 28571. In-lieu of flowers a charitable contribution can be made to the Hospice of Pamlico County, PO Box 6, Bayboro, NC 28515, 252-745-5171.