Betty Smith

Betty Jo Smith, age 49, of New Castle, passed away Sunday morning at Henry County Hospital following an extended illness. She was born April 17, 1961 in Livingston, Tennessee, a daughter of the late James Ewing and Ruby Marie (Cooper) Smith.

A 1979 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School, she had lived in California for several years before returning to New Castle. She had worked several places in New Castle and California, but had been a homemaker for the last few years. Betty Jo enjoyed birthday parties and family gatherings, where she would often entertain as a clown, easter bunny, or Santa Claus. She had attended the Immanuel Baptist Church for several years.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Smith of New Castle and Adam Cole of Alabama; a daughter, Betty Lee (husband: Brandon) Burrows of Alabama; her husband, Silverio Celis Ramirez of Indio, CA; three granddaughters; three sisters, Doris Smith, Debbie (husband, Ed) Shelton, and Reta Guffey, all of New Castle; a brother, JE (wife, Lisa) Smith of New Castle; step-children, Jorge (wife, Nellie) Ramirez, Jose Ramirez, Silverio Ramirez Jr. (wife, Marlin), Niña (husband, Jose), and Olivia Ramirez, all of Indio, CA; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Ewing and Ruby Marie (Cooper) Smith, a sister, Gail Smith, and a niece, Loretta Terry.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Friends may call from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Betty Jo Smith Memorial Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .