Betty Ruth Smith
(1941 - 2011)

It can be a very hard for a person dealing with loss. You can leave a touching message for the creator of this memorial.

Message Creator

Request Friendship

Add To Favourites

Reach Out To Creator

Lay a Flower

Lay a Stone

Light a Candle

Give a Heart

Light Incense

Offer Rice Wine

Make a Comment

Add Memory

Dedicate a Song

General Details

Name:	Mrs Betty Ruth Smith
Nick Name:	Red
Maiden Name:	Collins
Gender:	Female
Age:	69 years old
Lived:	Monday, 6 October 1941 - Tuesday, 8 March 2011

My Story

Mama was born October 6th, 1941 in Hollywood Texas. A place that no longer exists, except for an old oak tree marking the spot where mama had been born. It was a boom town that dried up, as many and most did. Native to the beautiful foot hills of East Texas, mama always dreamed of returning there one day to stay. It was a dream she would never realize. Mama did return to her beloved Texas, but not to East Texas, her childhood home.

Mama was the third of seven children born to William and Emily Collins (Fannin/Fanning) Her mother of Irish descent hailed from Arkansas, and her father William (Bill) of both English and Native American descent, hailed from Tennessee. Her parents were both proud and very down to earth. Her mother was a Christian woman who could cook and can anything and her father (A Man Of The Land) grew most of what they ate. Both of her parents were very creative and it shined brightly through their seven children.

At the ripe old age of seventeen, mama married daddy and left her beloved Texas for California. Though he was a stranger, she took a chance on him. She knew him a short two months when she said "I Do." Out of their union was born four children. Two son's and two daughter's, myself being the eldest. Mama hated California and spent her time between California and Texas. The memories of Texas are priceless. All four of her children live in Texas to this very day.

The only truly happy moment I can remember in recent past was mama and daddy's fiftieth wedding anniversary. We had the pleasure of seeing our parents dance and have a wonderful time. Mama was diagnosed with cancer about two or three years before and this celebration was simply beautiful and gave us all hope of better times. Something that never came. That momentous celebration was July 25th, 2009. Mama's last special celebration was Christmas of 2010. We were all there except me. I was there via video chat. Something I will always regret, but nonetheless am grateful for.

Mama was a beautiful light to so many people, even though she herself couldn't see it. She was warm, charitable, kind and God fearing. Don't get me wrong, mama wasn't a saint, but who really is? Mama was a teacher of life. She taught us so many things and in return we taught her too. She was the glue that held us together, the fire that made daddy walk the line and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She never missed a birthday, or any special occasion and she helped everyone she could.

Mama lost her battle with cancer on March 8th, 2011. Her mother, an aunt and four of her beloved siblings lost the same battle and now they are together again. In her honor, I have a memorial room in my home for her. No one can ever take the place of mama. She is missed and will be missed deeply by everyone until we meet again.

For Our Beloved Mamma

We knew Jesus was calling you home but when we could not know
How we all tried to be very brave because we loved you so
We never wept in front of you as we tried to do our best
This is what you taught us and you've put us to the test

Never once did we hear you say that it was time to leave
But your pain and suffering God has lovingly relieved
So many tears you must have wept when only God could see
To your loving family you were the brilliant and golden key

So many prayers for you to heal and it simply couldn't be
For God had far better plans than any of us could see
Now a chair sits empty where once you filled it's space
Silent stands an angel to remind us of Gods grace

The tears flow unbidden now for the grief is very real
There are no words under heaven to tell you how we feel
You fought a valiant battle and now it's at an end
An emptiness for evermore will fill our souls within

All our treasured memories of you we'll keep forever
The loving ties and bonds of the heart death cannot sever
We cannot say goodbye to you for the pain would be too great
The absence of our Mamma was left in Gods hands through faith

Thank you for all the things you did for each and every one
For all the prayers you taught us and the faith by you begun
We cannot sum up our thanks in these earthly words to you
God have mercy on our souls and show us in faith what to do

We know there's joy in heaven for home you have finally gone
There is no more battle for victory has been forever won
Rest in peace our beautiful Mamma we love you so within
And this poem is a gift from each of your loving children.

© Julie Soule' January 2011

Betty Ruth Smith (1941 - 2011)

Betty Smith, 69, passed Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday at Skyvue. Interment: Skyvue. Visitation: 9 a.m. Saturday. Survivors: Husband, Paul; sons, Paul Jr. and Darryl; daughters, Julie and Penny; sisters, Janet and Velma; and four grandchildren.

Published in Star-Telegram on March 10, 2011

Latest Tributes

12 / 15 tributes

view all tributes

From: NAOMI24

Dear new friend, My name is Naomi a good looking girl.I have a special reason of contacting you which i will make...

From: jsoule

Hi Mama, It's been a while since I have been here. I've been pretty sick. I'm sorry I didn't leave a candle or flo...

From: jsoule

May this little light be a reminder to all who see it that you were a light to all you touched. Love you Mama.

From: jsoule

Happy Thanksgiving Mama. I think I am the only one that remembers your memorial is here. I love and miss you and the ...

From: jsoule
Song Name: I'll See You Again
Artist: WestLife

I heard this today for the first time. I knew in an instant you were thinking...

From: jsoule

From my heart to yours. I love you and miss you.

From: jsoule

I thought of you all day today like I do every day. It's not getting any easier. Nothing is the same without you and ...

From: babybear

though you are gone and rejoiceing in heaven on earth we miss you greatly and love you dearly still. your words of en...

From: jsoule

I remember when you taught me how to pray. You used to get frustrated with me when I prayed for every person I could ...

From: redangel

My Mother loved flowers of all kinds ,especially yellow roses.This is for you Mamma.

From: redangel

For your light that will always shine bright down on your family and never go out.

From: redangel
Song Name: Go Rest High on t...
Artist: Vince Gill

I love you Mamma and miss you terribly.God bless you.This is for you Mamma.

Biography

Fathers Name:	William (Bill) Collins
Mothers Name:	Julie "Emily" Mae Fannin/Fanning)
Spouse's Name:	Paul G.Smith Sr.
Children's Names:	Julie, Paul, Darryl And Penny
Siblings Names:	Eddie, Mattie, Billie, Linda, Janet And Velma
Country of Birth:	USA
Country of Residence:	USA
City of Residence:	Burleson
Occupation:	Other
Marital Status:	Married
Religion:	Born Again Christian

Interests

Favourite Sport:	Football
Favourite Team:	Dallas Cowboys
Favourite Book:	Come Love A Stranger
Favourite Movie:	Miracle On 34th Street
Favourite Music Genre:	Country
Favourite Artist:	Judy Collins
Favourite Charity:	Humanity
Other Interests:
Bible Study, Puzzles, Word Finds, Cooking, Reading, Scrap Booking, Shopping, Life.

Passing

Place of Passing:	Burleson Texas
Date of Passing:	8 March 2011
Cause of Passing:	Complications From Cancer
Type of Funeral:	Open Casket
Place of Burial:	Skyvue Cemetery
Funeral Location:	Mansfield Texas
Funeral Date:	12 March 2011