Marion Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Jones Smith

Posted on October 4, 2023

Marion Elizabeth “Betsy” Jones Smith died peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in the company of her adoring family.

Betsy was born Jan. 16, 1929, at Lay Dam in Chilton County, Ala.

Her parents were Marion Crit Jones and Sara Cox Jones, who nurtured and provided Betsy and her sister, Ruth Jones Eiland, with an idyllic childhood full of loving family and friends which occurred in small Southern communities of the day. It was there she learned the traditions of love for family, church, country and friends.

Living at Lay Dam where her father was employed by the Alabama Power Company, she rode the school bus to the county seat, Clanton, for her education.

On the bus at the age of 13, she met a new student, Kenneth (Ken) Bruce Smith, who quickly became her steady beau. Betsy was happy and popular in high school – a majorette and voted “Best Figure” by her classmates.

Shortly after graduation, she and Ken married on Aug. 30, 1947, a marriage that has been a testament of love and devotion for more than 76 years. Betsy was a devoted and loving wife.

In 1951, Betsy and Ken moved to Tallahassee for him to attend Florida State University where he played varsity baseball. During this time Betsy worked at the university to help the family meet its financial needs.

After Ken’s graduation, with short stints in Monticello and Madison, he and Betsy settled in Perry where they raised their family and became mainstays in the community.

They were founders of and owners of the Taco Times newspaper where Betsy served as business manager. The newspaper enterprise grew to publications in Lake City, Live Oak and Williston. They eventually sold the newspapers and moved to Jefferson County in 1975.

Not content with retirement, Betsy worked in her children’s law firm in Tallahassee and the family’s real estate endeavors for many years until the onset of Alzheimer’s disease prevented her from performing her duties.

In addition to her professional success, Betsy was the most exceptional, loving and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother imaginable. She was kind, selfless, steadfastly supportive and always expected the best from her children and grandchildren. She provided stability and security even in the most tumultuous times. Betsy was the rock the family depended upon and she unconditionally loved every member of it.

Even after the crippling effects of Alzheimer’s, she remained loving and sweet until the end.

Betsy was preceded in death by her mother, father and sister.

She is survived by: her devoted husband; her children, Kenneth Bruce (Bruce) Smith Jr. (Maria), Walter Crit Smith (Dee Ann) and Susan Smith Thompson (Chris).

Other survivors include her grandchildren, Robin Elizabeth Smith (Jason Maine), Christopher Lee Thompson Jr. (Brooke Thompson), Whitney Smith Ellis (David Ellis), James Crit Thompson and Mary Crit Smith Bracy (Eric Bracy).

Great-grandchildren surviving her are James Ramsey Ellis, Michael Crit Ellis, Millie Grace Thompson, Harper Elizabeth Thompson and Zachary Michael Bracy.

Betsy was loved by all who knew her. She lived her life faithfully and worked tirelessly to provide for her family. She will be missed and forever loved by her family.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee.

Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.