- Date Of Birth: February 27, 1933
- Date Of Death: August 12, 2020
- State: California
“Look at little Black Shirley Temple,” her mother and close relatives would say as they humored little Betty Jean whose rounded face, bright eyes, and sassy personality reminded them of the tap-dancing Hollywood starlet. Caught in the middle of seven children, she would grow to become one her family’s brightest little stars.
Just four years into the Great Depression on February 27th,1933, Betty Jean Smith was born to Mary and Jim Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, a border town on the northernmost tip of the state. Her siblings included Juanita, Mary, Willie Mae, Raymond, Herbert, and Ausbie. Betty was the second youngest girl but older than all her brothers whom she helped care for during her teenage years.
As the granddaughter of a former slave, Betty became part of the first generation of High School graduates in her generation. She received her diploma from Booker T. Washington High School in her hometown.
Escaping the perils of the Jim Crow South and in search of better opportunities for African Americans, Betty took her young son, Jeffrey, to Los Angeles.
Anyone that knew Betty knew that she just loved the Lord and dedicated her life to him. As a missionary, she preached about perfection within the Lord and how it could be achieved through prayer and sacrifice. She instilled in her children to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ and that salvation was the only way toward heaven.
After her husband, Harvey Brown, passed away in 1981, Betty would re-marry in 1997 to Lewis Johnson.
Betty was known as a lady of literally many hats. She enjoyed wearing different hat styles, hat pins, and matching suits with a brilliant smile to go along.
Of all her accomplishments, Betty was most proud of her family. She was everyone’s cheerleader when it came to obtaining an education especially beyond high school.
On August 12th, 2020, Betty Jean Smith a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She is survived by one sister, Mary, and two brothers, Raymond and Ausbie. She leaves behind two children, a daughter in law, and son in law, Jeffrey, Jacqueline “Jackie”, Paula, and Garth “Charles”. She leaves behind her grandchildren and their spouses. Her ten grandchildren include Jeffrey Jr, Aaron, Michael, Mark, Daniel, Destiny, Eric Jr, Jalyssa, Jaunell, and Zedikiah. She also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren including one on the way.
Her family will always remember her smile, her southern charm, and her dedication to God. Given eighty-seven years, her family can say that she lived them well and truly embodied the role of a “good and faithful servant.”
Her closest family regrets to say “goodbye” but are at peace that God has said “welcome.” Her memory will live on in our hearts and her love will guide us on the rest of this journey of understanding.
We called her Mother, Mom, and Gamma. God called her his child. With his arms wide open for her, we will always remember a life well lived.
Well done, Betty Jean. Well done.
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“Now, you can talk about the world, you lose me. But when you start talking about Jesus, you can’t lose me.”
Betty Jean Smith
