Betty Rose Smits

Betty Rose (Martin) Smits, 95, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. Friends may visit from 1 to 2 pm Saturday, November 8 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.  A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2 pm at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel with Rev. Dr. Robert Braman officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Lighthouse Forever Fund (Berrien Community Foundation or directly to the city of St. Joseph at Berrien Community Foundation 2900 S. State St., Suite 2E, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085, 269-983-3304; City of St. Joseph at 700 Broad St., 983-5541) or Hospice at Home (1234 Napier, St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085). Those wishing to sign Betty’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 9, 1919, daughter of Ralph and Clala Martin.  After graduating from Butler University in 1941, she married William E. Smits on March 8, 1942. Throughout Betty’s life she was a strong, determined woman.  She especially enjoyed talking to her own family and her many friends; no topic was too small or too large.  She always had valuable comments and insights to share.  She instilled her strong convictions and personal life philosophies onto her three children and grandchildren. Betty never hesitated to offer her guidance, advice, and love. Through her life, she was an avid reader, staying current and interested in the arts, sports, and politics.  She even kept up with computer technology; she especially enjoyed sending her family emails to let them know what she was doing. Betty’s beach was a favorite spot for her family and all “the girls.”   Later in her life, she earned the family nickname “Bad Betty” for her quick, cutting wit and great sense of humor. She is survived by two sons:  William (Marcia) Smits of Charleston, SC; and Thomas (Jackie Donoho) Smits of Stevensville; and her daughter Martha (Rocque) Emlong of St. Joseph; two granddaughters, Alexis (Josh) Butzbaugh of Richland, WA; Molly Emlong of St. Joseph, MI; and a nephew Dr. Richard (Cathy) Hansell of Indianapolis, IN.  The family would also like to thank her loving caregivers, Anita and Debbie, the Hospice nurses, and the wonderful staff at Woodland Terrace. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, William E. Smits in 1995; and her sister Jewell Hansell of Indianapolis, IN. Betty’s family has so many wonderful memories of her, but a most vivid one was her favorite saying, “Make good choices.”  “Bad’s” family knows that her spirit will live on with them. She left her long, fulfilled life knowing she had done her very best to make her own “good choices.”