I'd like to meet:
Deaconess Betty J. Reid Smith
Betty J. Reid Smith Deaconess at Second Baptist Church Betty J. Reid Smith, 70, 534 E. 15th St., formerly of 358 E. 21st St., passed away Saturday, October 6, 2007, at St. Vincent Health Center. She was born March 6, 1937, in Waycross, Ga., daughter of the late Leroy Reid and Evangelist Rilla M. Mims Young. She was a resident of Erie for 52 years, relocating here in 1955 after a brief stay in McKean. She was a devoted wife and homemaker who loved caring for her family. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Buffalo, N.Y. Mrs. Smith was an active member of Second Baptist Church where she was a Deaconess, a member of the Senior Choir, the Starlight Singers, and the Kitchen Committee. She enjoyed clothing, dressing, gardening, sewing, canning and cooking, greens were her specialty. She was also the coordinator of the Mims Family Reunion. She was the heart and soul of the family and will be dearly missed by all. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Steve M. Smith, Sr.; two daughters, Linda Gamble and Ola Mae Smith; an infant son; and a sister, Rev. Johnnie McCloud. She leaves to cherish her memory six sons, Elijah Gamble, Steve M. Smith, Jr., Shawn E. Smith, Troy E. Smith, and Shannon D. Smith, all of Erie, and Ira T. Smith (Diane), Orlando, Fla.; seven daughters, Estella Jackson, Wanda Lowery (Tyrone), Georgeann Smith, Miranda Brooks (Anthony), Cornelia Beard (Ferris), Gloria Potter (Reggie), and Joycelyn Smith, all of Erie; four brothers, Joseph (Diane), Donald, Robert (Bridgette) and Stephon (Norma) Young, all of Erie; two sisters, Clara Ward and Ruthie Everett, both of Erie; 70 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a godson, Jermaine Gray, Erie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Friends may visit with the family Wednesday, Oct. 10, 4 to 8 p.m., at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th St., and may attend a funeral service at the church Thursday, 11 a.m., conducted by Rev. Dr. Allen B. Green. Interment in Erie Cemetery. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Road. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits
Published in the Erie Times-News from 10/8/2007 - 10/9/2007.