Mrs. Betty Jean Smith

Betty Jean Smith, 93 (always and forever “Maw Maw”), of Grand Bay, Alabama, took her last breath on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 7:57 p.m. The family will have a celebration of her life and ceremony on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Serenity Gardens, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until noon with celebration of life and ceremony at noon. Maw Maw loved all of her family enormously. She was a homemaker, and an amazing caretaker all of her life. And as she slowed down, she became a prayer warrior. And not just for her family but for those she did not even know. She loved her quiet time with God, and she treasured every moment she spent with her family. Maw Maw is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Douglas Smith, daughter, Linnie Smith, great granddaughter, Christen Presnall and son, Larry Wayne Smith. She leaves behind for a time her daughter, Pamela Matthews and her daughter-in-law, Deborah Smith; her grandchildren, Jimmy Matthews, Jr., Larry Wayne Smith and Dawn Ainkerson, Laurie Baker and Lee Walker, Tracy and Joe Apker, Lindsey and Hampton Sims; great-grandchildren, Jimmy III, Zach and Bailey Matthews, Chip and Malana Baker, Savanah Ainkerson, Morgan Ainkerson; Jake Baker, Brody Green, Jackson Sims, Macy Caroline Sims, and Kylie Apker; and great-great grandchildren, Caley, Kennedy, Grayson and Isla. For Maw Maw there was no in-law or step, she saw everyone that came into her family as part of her family. She loved all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great greats. She loved us all. She sacrificed so much to just show us all she loved us. And more than anything, she prayed for us all every day. Every day. Her last few words to us all were “keep smiling,” and “I want you to have a happy life.” And that is how she prayed. She prayed for healing, she prayed for protection, and she prayed for peace. She was and will always be our prayer warrior – the grandmother that fought the strongest battle. And the Maw Maw that will always be remembered as the one who laughed and played and loved all of her babies. From the oldest to the youngest. We will miss you so much Maw Maw. The family would also like to send out a heartfelt thank you to The Retreat, Hospice by Saad, who provided a place of peace and serenity, and kindness, care and compassion to Maw Maw and her family during her last few days of life. That truly mattered.

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Mrs. Betty Jean Smith

June 24, 1930 - December 31, 2023