Betty Lou Smith

Betty Lou (Rhine) Smith, 92, of Sheridan, Wyoming, passed away on December 8, 2024. 

Betty was born on August 15, 1932, in Pittsburg, Indiana, the daughter of David and Mary (Merrill) Rhine.   The youngest of 11 children, she spent her childhood in Indiana and graduated from Delphi High School in 1950.

Betty married Ray Smith on December 26, 1950, in Delphi, Indiana. They were married 72 years when Ray passed away on August 10, 2023. 

After they married, the couple moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where Ray began his service in the United States Air Force and LaJenda was born. When Ray was deployed overseas, Betty and LaJenda returned to Indiana to be closer to family. Upon his return, the family settled in Indiana, where Betty began working as a drugstore clerk and on the Purdue University campus while Ray completed his veterinary studies. After his graduation, she received an honorary degree from Purdue in recognition of her support.

The family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 1963 and LaJenda was soon joined by Derrick, Lisa, and Stuart. 

In Sheridan, Betty played a pivotal role in supporting her husband’s veterinary career. Together, they operated the Dayton Veterinary Clinic, Big Goose Animal Hospital, and the Animal Health Supply, where she loved visiting with customers while she helped them.

Betty’s commitment to her community extended far beyond her family’s businesses. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, taking over the program in 1985 and running it for 13 years.  She also worked as a pharmacy clerk at Kmart well into her retirement years.  It was the perfect job for her because she could visit with most of the town while they shopped.

A woman of deep faith, Betty attended the First Church of the Nazarene.  She aspired to live like Jesus and devoted her life to helping others. Her home was a haven for anyone in need—a place where friends and strangers alike were always welcome. Many still lovingly call her ‘Mom,’ a testament to the impact she had on countless lives.

Betty’s greatest joy was her family. She loved being involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as keeping in touch with her siblings and their families.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, all ten of her siblings—Maurice, Paul, Roscoe, John David, Don, Ruth, Virginia, Maxine, Jean, and Mary—her beloved husband, Raymond C. Smith, DVM, her son-in-law, Jim Barker, and ex-son-in-law, Lee Alexander.

She is survived by her children: LaJenda Barker, Derrick Smith, Lisa (Randy) Schroeder, and Stuart (Megan) Smith; her grandchildren: Jamie (David) Newbrough, David (Shawna) Barker, Molly Barker; Aaron (Nicole) Alexander, Misty Alexander, Kendra Alexander, Shala Stewart; Riley Gallagher; Larissa Smith (Travis), Elijah Uptain, and Carmen Schramm; her great-grandchildren: Ada and Evelyn; Megan, Zach, and Boone; Peyton, Emberly, Kaidynce, and Brekken; Alexis, Brooklen, Kaylee, Kambree, and Logan; Hayden, Kellen, and Khloe; Kaycen, Lance, and Khloe; Ryley; Thomas and Autumn; Alice and Violet; her brother and sisters-in-law: Herbert Slack, Rosie Blinn, and Julia Smith; and countless nieces and nephews who loved her.

Services for Betty Lou will be held Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ignite Wesleyan Church, 404 West Brundage Lane, Sheridan, WY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Advocacy & Resource Center, 136 Coffeen Avenue, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.