Betty Adams Smith

Betty Adams Smith, 90, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

She was the daughter of the late Dan Adams and Julia Alligood Adams Strickland. She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Herman and Lillie Smith; her grandson, Jordan Traylor; her special sister, Mae Beard Pace; and three brothers, T.J. Strickland, Edgar Strickland and Kenneth Strickland.

Betty retired from the Church of God International Offices where she served as an executive assistant to the general overseer, R. Lamar Vest, for 17 years. Altogether she worked for the Church of God for more than 35 years. In addition to working at the International Headquarters, she also worked at the North Carolina Church of God State Offices, the Tennessee Church of God State Offices and West Coast Bible College.

Along with her husband, Dr. Henry Smith, she served as a pastor’s wife for many years. She was a faithful wife who always supported her husband in his ministry.

She was a faithful member of the Westmore Church of God. For many years she was a member of the sanctuary choir. She was a great supporter of her husband as he taught the Berean FOCUS class for more than 30 years.

Betty was known for her gift of hospitality and never met a stranger. She loved people and enjoyed hosting events and spending time with her many friends. Her outgoing personality caused her to have a multitude of friends whom she dearly cherished.

Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Dr. Henry J. Smith; a son, Michael and wife, Melissa Smith, of Huntsville, Alabama; daughter, Patricia and husband, Mark West, of Concord, North Carolina; grandchildren, Lucas and wife, Ashley Traylor, of Denver, North Carolina, Meagan and husband, Eric Mayo, of Spring Hill and their daughter, Virginia; great-granddaughter, Julia and husband, Brandon Arnold, of Denver, North Carolina, and Spencer and wife, Katie Smith, of Durham, North Carolina; sister, Gladys Hartley of Princeton, North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Glenda Smith of St. Pauls, North Carolina, and Thelma Strickland of Goldsboro, North Carolina; special nieces, Beth Graham and Blair Hester of Princeton, North Carolina; and a host of special friends.

The Remembrance of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at the Westmore Church of God with Dr. Lamar Vest and Pastor Kelvin Page of the Westmore Church of God officiating.

A private interment will follow at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga with Lucas Traylor, Brandon Arnold, Spencer Smith, Eric Mayo, Mark West and Robby Williams serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Westmore Berean FOCUS class.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Lee University Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 3450, Cleveland, TN 37320-3450.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Westmore Church of God.

The North Ocoee Chapel of Jim Rush Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.

You may share your condolences and memories with the Smith family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.