Betty Jean Parker Smith, 84, of Southaven, MS passed away June 22, 2025. Betty

was born on March 27, 1941 in New Albany, MS. was the youngest of 4 children.

In 1963 Betty met the love of her life, Wayne. 6 months later they married on

June 30, 1963. Together they would build a beautiful life. They had 3 children

Teresa, Donald and Billy. They always had a house full of kids from neighborhood

kids or family coming to visit. Weekends and summertime were spent fishing,

swimming and riding dirt bikes.
 

Betty was always pulling pranks on everyone. Her favorite thing to do was scare

you when you least expected it. From fake snakes to tall tales you always had to

be prepared around her. Probably why Halloween parties were her favorite.

As their children went on to get married and have kids of their own she then

became a devoted grandmother. Within 10 months they were blessed with their

first 3 grandchildren, that didn’t faze her a bit. She said bring them on. She

basically started her own daycare to triplets and, Oh the fun they had! Later that

number grew and she retired from the daycare business but they stayed very

active in each of their lives making lots of memories.

Betty was preceded in death by a piece of her heart, her husband of 45 years,

Wayne. Also her mother, Sarah, her brother Donald and 2 sisters Dorthy and

Elizabeth. She is survived by her daughter Teresa (Donny) Rogers of Arlington, TN and 2 sons

Donald (Rhonda) Smith of Byhalia, MS, Billy (Toni) Smith of Hernando, MS; 10

grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
 

Betty wasn’t soft or quiet. If she loved you, you knew it and felt it. Her goal was to

take care of everyone she loved and that she did, until she couldn’t any longer.

A visitation for family and friends will take place on Tuesday, June 24 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25th at 11:00 AM. Both the visitation and funeral service will be held at the Holly Springs Funeral Home.