Betty Smathers

Waynesville, Betty Caroline Kenney Smathers, age 90, of Walker Road, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Skyland Care Center. A native of Jackson County, she had lived most of her life in Haywood County. She was the daughter of the late John David and Della Coward Kenney and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Fran Drinnon; sisters, Katie Smathers and Lillian Smith and brothers, Bruce and William Key Kenney. She was employed by Haywood County Hospital and Haywood Regional Medical Center for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Betty was a wonderful cook, whose specialty was cornbread, and she also enjoyed knitting. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who dedicated her life to her family. She was a member of North Hazelwood Baptist Church. Betty is survived by her husband of 74 years, James Gordon Smathers; a daughter, Shirley Moody and her husband, Danny, of Waynesville and a son, Doug Smathers and his wife, Jimmie, also of Waynesville and a son-in-law, Darrell Drinnon of Balsam; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend James Hensley and Reverend Kevin Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to North Hazelwood Baptist Church Baby Food Pantry, 809 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786. The family would like to thank the Harris Regional Palliative Care, especially nurses, Marcie and Lynn, and Skyland Care Center for their wonderful care that was given over the years to Betty.

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