Betty Louise Smith

June 25, 1929 ~ August 11, 2023
Betty Louise Smith, 94, a longtime resident of the Riverside neighborhood in Wichita, passed away Friday, August 11th. A celebration of her life will be Saturday, August 26 at Presbyterian Manor at 1:00 pm. She was raised in Winfield KS and graduated from Winfield High School. She married Frank Smith in 1949. While working at Beech Aircraft, she received her pilots license and made a solo flight. Betty enjoyed playing piano, sewing, needle work and bridge. Ambitious, she tried her hand in real estate, tax preparation and home renovation. She also enjoyed the outdoors, spending many summers at her and Frank’s Colorado cabin. She spent the last several years of her life at Presbyterian Manor and developed many friendships there. Betty was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Preceded in death by her husband, Frank E Smith; parents, George W. and Sarah "Bea" B. Brown; brothers, Robert F. Brown, Roy E. Brown. Survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Gary) Kerr of Wichita, KS, Karen Smith (Theresa Reece) of Arvada, CO, Alicia (Bob) Illidge of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Chris Dalton, Brad Dalton, Matt (Jennifer) Kerr, Korie Kerr, Lacy Kerr, Richard Kerr, Lauren Kerr, Joe (Valerie) Biggs, Mike (Eli) Biggs, Robert Illidge, III, Megan Illidge, Sean Illidge; great grandchildren, Maxwell Kerr, Joshua Kerr, and Alexander Kerr. A memorial has been established with: Botanica, The Wichita Gardens 701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS 67203. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.
Betty was a wonderful person and I was blessed that she was a part of my life. She was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known and she never thought twice about helping others out. I will cherish the memories and a day won’t go by that you are not in my thoughts.
Your loving daughter in-law Theresa
I only meet Betty one time and I’ll never forget it. Many people there will remember the time, it was Karen and Theresa wedding reception at the cabin in Colorado. My sister Christi and I for something to do started trimming up the pine trees that had skirted to the ground and slowly burnt the brush (Karen was a wreck). We opened up the place and I’ll never forget how Betty’s eyes lit up when she walked into the back yard. I remember her telling Christi and I how happy Frank would have been to see it. My condolences to all who lost a beautiful person.
Phil Reece