Betty Jo Smathers

Betty Jo Smith Smathers of Raymond, Mississippi passed from this life into God’s presence on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the age of 98. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home, 7225 Siwell Rd., Byram, MS. Visitation will be Friday, November 7, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home and at 9:00 Saturday morning before the 10:00 funeral service. The graveside service will be at Cedarcrest Cemetery, 1985 Parsons Rd., Raymond, MS.

Betty Jo is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Guerrant Smathers, her parents Albert Willis and Monte Bird Smith, and brothers Lynn and Hal Smith. She is survived by four children, Sonny (Sharon) Smathers, Martha (Kevin) Johnson- Burke, Albert (Jeanie) Smathers, Lorena (Gary) Adams, and preceded in death by her son Will (Donna Richards) Smathers. Betty Jo has 15 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Betty Jo grew up in Greeneville, TN and graduated from Maryville College in Maryville, TN with a BS degree in Biology. She was a substitute teacher at Raymond High School in Raymond, MS and Rebul Academy in Learned, MS and for 17 years a Disabilities Services Instructor at Hinds Community College, also in Raymond.

Mrs. Smathers was an active member of Wynndale Presbyterian Church in Terry, MS, and also a member and officer of the Women in the Church. She played the organ there for 60 years and taught the Women’s Sunday School class often. Betty Jo enjoyed community involvement as a member and officer of the Palestine Homemaker’s Club. She took pleasure in growing and arranging flowers, activities such as puzzles and crossword puzzles, and playing Scrabble. Precious memories of many of her grandchildren include fishing with her in the farm ponds, sleeping at Cedarcrest, and eating the amazing food she cooked. She was called by some “Betty Go” because of her willingness to attend whatever event she was invited to whether a ballgame, school program, concert, travel, etc. to give love and support to all who knew her. Hospitality was her forte`. She will be remembered for her deep love and service for her Lord, her family, and friends.

Memorials may be made to Wynndale Presbyterian Church in Terry, MS.