Betty Smith

Betty J. Smith, 83, passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. She was born in Kings Mountain, KY, on June 14, 1937, and moved to Rockford in 1955. Betty married the love of her life James L. “Jimmy” Smith on August 9,1969, and just recently celebrated their 51 years of marriage together. Betty was employed as an Administrative Secretary for Fenner Stone Inc. (Stone Hydraulics), a position she retired from. After retirement from Fenner Stone, Betty joined her husband, Jim, at Park Lanes Bowling Center helping with several office duties at the time.
Betty enjoyed spending time with the family, especially the cookouts by the pool, shopping and having lunch with her grandchildren and following the grandchildren in their many sports endeavors! Some of her most cherished times were traveling the country with Jimmy during their trips to Arizona and the Gulf Coast. She was a big Kentucky Wildcat Basketball “Big Blue Nation” fan and loved watching the “SEC” conference each year during the March Madness tournament.

Betty is survived by her husband, Jimmy; daughter, Sandy (Kurt) Stellern of Roscoe; son, Brad (Kristine) Reed of Tarpon Springs, FL; stepdaughters, Lynnette (Kurt) Roemer of Glenview and Lisa (Chris) Tyran of Chattaroy, WA; and sister, Roberta (Gary) Swinney of Machesney Park. She is also survived by her legacy of love, her grandchildren, Tricia (Adam Chappell) Stellern, Lindsey (Luke) Butz, Ashley Reed, Taylor Reed, Abby Reed, Allie Roemer, Melissa Roemer and Kurt Roemer Jr., 2nd Lt. Joe Tyran, Natalie Tyran, Josh Lundholm and Elizabeth (Ryan) Shadis. In addition, Betty is survived by her great-grandchildren, Emma Stellern, Maggie Chappell, Alivia Butz, Lukey Butz, Macy Butz, Sadie Butz and Aubree Webster; sisters-in-law, Joyce Harvey and Phyllis Brown. We will always and forever carry her in our hearts.

She was predeceased by her parents; son, Jeff Reed; infant son; granddaughter, Amanda Reed; brothers, Henry Brown and E.W. Brown Jr.; sisters, Alma Wall, Pauline Deery and infant sister, Grace; mother-in-law Maggie Burgert; brother-in-law, Joe Smith.

The Family will hold a private service at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020, at Delehanty Funeral Home with a public Celebration of Life planned for a later date. We hope that all our friends understand the COVID situation that we are currently challenged with and if you have an interest in streaming the service it will be available on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, donations to Carpenters Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford, IL 61104, or Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102, would be appreciated.