Betty Gray Smith

Betty Gray Smith, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday March 27, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday April 2, 2026, at Thompsonville Baptist Church with Rev. Ronnie Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Wednesday April 1, 2026, at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service at Thompsonville Baptist Church Cemetery.

Betty Gray Smith Smith was born on December 4, 1932, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, to the late John Russell Smith, Sr. and Margaret Grace McKee Smith. She was a lifelong resident of Reidsville, North Carolina, where she built a life rooted in faith, service, and community. Betty was the devoted wife of Patrick H. Smith, whom she married on May 17, 1970, and together they shared years of love, commitment, and companionship.

A faithful member of Thompsonville Baptist Church, Betty served as a Sunday School teacher and was an active member of church committees, living out her faith through service to others. Throughout her life, Betty was known for her strong work ethic and dedication to excellence. She served her community professionally through her work at Annie Penn Memorial Hospital as a bookkeeper, with the Rockingham County Fund, and later at Wachovia Bank, where she worked as a teller. In addition to her financial career, Betty made a lasting impact as the Leader of Weight Watchers of North Carolina for 15 years, encouraging, mentoring, and supporting countless individuals on their wellness journeys. Her compassion, leadership, and genuine care for others were evident in all that she did. Betty also had a deep and abiding love for animals, especially her beloved dogs. Welches, Truffles, and Patches were cherished companions who brought her great joy and comfort. Her dogs were truly part of her family, and she delighted in caring for them and sharing their stories with those around her. Patches, who survives her, remains a living reminder of the love and devotion Betty so freely gave. Betty’s life was a reflection of her unwavering faith and her abiding love for God and others. She found great comfort and guidance in her favorite scripture, 1 John 4:13, which speaks to living in the assurance of God’s presence through His Spirit. That assurance shaped the way she loved, served, and cared for those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Betty’s legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Patrick H. Smith; brother, John Russell Smith, Jr.; niece, Sandy Smith and nephew John Russell Smith, III.

She is survived by her loving children, daughter, Jean Russell Dalton, and sons, Billy Smith (Marilyn) and Terry Smith (LuAnn); her cherished grandchildren, Tamera Dalton Gethers, Adam Koichi Smith, Jeremy Shoh Boone Smith, Mattie Lynn Smith, Tara Bruchas (Daniel), Tyler Smith (Brittnee), and Trevor Smith. She was also blessed with great‑grandchildren Jerry Dalton, Destiney Gethers, Allyson Bruchas, Charlotte Bruchas, Eleanor Smith, Elliot Townsend, and Penelope Townsend. In addition, she is survived by her nephews, Darien Smith and Donnie Ward (Joy), along with a large and loving group of extended family members, loved ones, and friends who will continue to honor and cherish her memory.

Betty wanted to recognize her special friends, Joan McKinney, Beatrice Tucker, and Calvin and Linda Mays.

Pallbearers will be Adam Koichi Smith, Jeremy Shoh Boone Smith, Donnie Ward, Ritchie Wright, and Steven Perkins.