Betty Joan Smith

Betty (Elizabeth) Joan (Griffith) Smith, went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2024, just 25 days short of her 100th birthday. She was born in Pueblo, Colorado on February 22, George Washington’s Birthday in 1924. Her family moved to Southern California when she was just a child. She attended school in Long Beach and survived the 1933 earthquake. In 1934, she signed a contract with All Star Productions and MGM Studios and worked as a child actor and dancer in such productions as Mickey McGuire Comedies. She worked until 1936 when she started high school. She graduated from Torrance High School in the winter of 1941. She attended Life Bible College and was in the Frontiersmen Class of 1942, where she met Edward Smith whom she married on February 15, 1941, at the Angelus Temple. In 1942, Ed joined the Army Air Corps and upon his return, they had four children over the next ten years: Edward Jr., Kathleen (spouse Jerry Stutzman), Ilene (spouse Vicken Bezjian), and David (spouse Linda). Betty worked during Ed’s time in the Army and continued her career serving in administrative positions including as a cryptographer. In 1953, they moved to Alhambra, California and started the Alhambra Community Gospel Church where they would remain until 1991 serving as a co-pastors. Betty worked at California State University from 1962 until 1987. During this period, she earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and continued with a doctorate degree completing everything but her dissertation. She retired to her summer house in Huntington Beach, California in 1991 and then to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina in 2022.

Betty was married to Ed for 69 years and has six grandchildren, Richard Smith (Cheryl Woodley), Jerry Stutzman Jr. (Janelle), Andrew Stutzman (Rachel), James Bezjian (Riley), Laurie Wallace (Patrick) and Timothy Smith. She also has six great grandchildren, Hunter Estes. Heather, Hanna, Vivian and Joshua Stutzman, and Caroline Wallace. She was the matriarch to her family and prayed for them daily.

If anything could be said about Betty, she loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, and the Word of God. There was no greater prayer warrior. She let everyone she knew that every day she woke up and said these words. “This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24.

In lieu of flowers, donations supporting Christian education may be sent to Smith Christian Service Foundation. 16611 Landmark Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886.