Betty Wilkinson Smith Miller's Obituary
Betty Wilkinson Smith Miller, age 89, formerly of Tampa, Florida, passed away on June 30, 2020 at Arbor Hills Memory Care in Plano, TX. Betty leaves a large and loving family who will celebrate the joy of knowing and loving her while mourning her passing.
Betty was born in Washington DC and grew up in Richmond, VA, where she enjoyed horseback riding and numerous adventures in Byrd Park and in the forests along the banks of the James River with her younger brother Jerry. She also enjoyed boating, fishing and crabbing with friends and family at their cottage on the Rappahannock River.
Betty graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in History. She married Roy D. Smith Jr. in June 1952. After residing a short time in Lubbock, TX while Danny served in the Air Force, the couple returned to Richmond, where Betty raised her growing family while teaching 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders. She was active in the Garden Club and enjoyed horticulture. She became a great cook and her southern recipes are legendary. The family moved to Houston in 1968 and Betty quickly formed a new circle of friends, where she enjoyed playing tennis and bridge while continuing to care for and manage the numerous activities of her four children.
In 1974 Betty moved to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area of Florida to be near her parents, and married the second love of her life, Robert B. Miller. During her time in Tampa, Betty worked at the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, then she and Bob moved to various locales in West Florida, ending up at Tampa Palms in a beautiful home off the first green with a lovely palmetto garden view. Always the social butterfly, Betty became active at the Tampa Palms Club and enjoyed walking the beach, collecting sea shells, yoga, swimming and golf. She joined the 9 Holers Club and was still sinking match-winning putts at 86! In October 2018 Betty left her home in Tampa and moved to Richardson, TX to be near her son Roy and his wife Joanie.
Betty is pre-deceased by her parents, Francis C. and Alma M. Wilkinson, her brother, Gerald F. Wilkinson, and husbands, Roy D. Smith Jr. and Robert B. Miller. She is the forever beloved matriarch of her surviving family, son Roy D. and wife Joan M. Smith, daughter Laura S. and husband Tom Thomas, son Steve M. and wife Mary H. Smith, and son Bradley and wife Maureen O. Smith, as well as her 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A private Memorial Service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Betty’s favorite charity, CARE, an international charity supporting women and children, at http://givenow.care.org/donate/
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