Betty Ernestine Smith Jones passed away at home in Dallas, TX on March 9, 2018. Betty was born May 31, 1927 in Charleston, WV. Her death is preceded by her mother, Dorothy M. Smith Smith, her father, Ernest L. Smith, and her husband of 48yrs, Lyndal A. Jones of Ennis TX. Betty is survived by their four children, Larry A. Jones of Frisco, TX and wife Danielle, Ronald W. Jones of Dallas, TX and wife Kay, Sandra L. Johnson of Garland, TX and husband Rawn, Bryan E. Jones of Colorado Springs, CO and wife Annette, eight grandchildren, Nicole Fenton and husband Max, Shannon McKee and husband Matt, Erik Kennedy, Alex Cossio, Jake Johnson, Cameron Cossio, Zachary Jones, Logan Jones, and three great-grandchildren, Miles McKee, Eva Fenton, and Nolan McKee. Born during the Great Depression and often seeking work, the Smith family moved a few times. By the 4th grade, they lived in Sault St. Marie, MI, and her father spent the summer sailing the Great Lakes while working on a steamship. They eventually settled in Fenton, MI, where he owned a photography studio, and her mother built planes for Stinson Aircraft during the war. Betty was an excellent student and graduated as Salutatorian of the Fenton High Class of 1945. She was a life-long scholar, attending classes at Wayne University (Detroit, MI), Denison University (Glanville, OH), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI), and later Richland College (Dallas, TX). Upon another family move, this time to Texas in 1953, she transferred from Michigan Bell to Southwestern Bell, and meets new friends Betsy (now Miller) and Francine Jones. Francine invited Betty to a brother's birthday party in April. It must have been a good party, since Betty and Lyndal were married in November. For almost three decades thereafter, her working career interleaved with raising children. Business opportunities at Southern Union Gas, Cockrell-Hull Employment Agency, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and Richland College created many lasting friendships. She was an artist, and even owned a crafts store for a while. And she also helped Lyndal with the restaurant endeavors. Moving from Oak Cliff to East Dallas, lifelong friendships formed at St. Mark's Presbyterian with the Chamblisses, Beckhams, Davises, Gracies, and Johnsons, just to name a few. These relationships extended to the kids as well, since we were the baby boom in progress. Early Kodachrome prints faded quite badly, so every spring, she drafted Dorothy, Sammy, Betty, and others to help 'manually colorize' hundreds of portraits for two Dallas photography studios. The house smelled of royal blue ink from the cap & gown shots. In 1968, Betty took a temporary job in what they used to call 'Personnel' (now 'Human Resources') at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and ended up staying until she retired. Upon transfer to the Records Division, Betty was given the responsibility to transition the Bank's entire recorded history from countless stacks of paper to permanent, sortable digital imagery. She decided to skip the microfiche and go directly to CDs. Her poetry and painting were passions, and the campus was a place of comfort. Betty finally received her Associate Degree in Arts & Science from Richland College in 1996, and was proud to be a member of the Richland Emeritus Program. She enjoyed watching her family grow over the years, and the grandkids brought her much joy and pride as they have matured. She was loved, and will be missed. Burial will be at DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Graveside Service

MAR 22. 2:30 PM (CDT)

Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX, 75211