Betty Lou (Rhine) Smith, 92, of Sheridan, Wyoming, passed away on December 8, 2024.

Betty was born on August 15, 1932, in Pittsburg, Indiana, the daughter of David and Mary

(Merrill) Rhine. The youngest of 11 children, she spent her childhood in Indiana and

graduated from Delphi High School in 1950.

Betty married Ray Smith on December 26, 1950, in Delphi, Indiana. They were married 72

years when Ray passed away on August 10, 2023.

After they married, the couple moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where Ray began his service in

the United States Air Force and LaJenda was born. When Ray was deployed overseas, Betty

and LaJenda returned to Indiana to be closer to family. Upon his return, the family settled in

Indiana, where Betty began working as a drugstore clerk and on the Purdue University

campus while Ray completed his veterinary studies. After his graduation, she received an

honorary degree from Purdue in recognition of her support.

The family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 1963 and LaJenda was soon joined by Derrick,

Lisa, and Stuart.

In Sheridan, Betty played a pivotal role in supporting her husband's veterinary career.

Together, they operated the Dayton Veterinary Clinic, Big Goose Animal Hospital, and the

Animal Health Supply, where she loved visiting with customers while she helped them.

Betty's commitment to her community extended far beyond her family's businesses. She

volunteered for Meals on Wheels, taking over the program in 1985 and running it for 13

years. She also worked as a pharmacy clerk at Kmart well into her retirement years. It was

the perfect job for her because she could visit with most of the town while they shopped.

A woman of deep faith, Betty attended the First Church of the Nazarene. She aspired to live

like Jesus and devoted her life to helping others. Her home was a haven for anyone in

need—a place where friends and strangers alike were always welcome. Many still lovingly

call her 'Mom,' a testament to the impact she had on countless lives.

Betty's greatest joy was her family. She loved being involved in the lives of her children,

grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as keeping in touch with her siblings and

their families.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, all ten of her siblings—Maurice, Paul, Roscoe,

John David, Don, Ruth, Virginia, Maxine, Jean, and Mary—her beloved husband, Raymond C.

Smith, DVM, her son-in-law, Jim Barker, and ex-son-in-law, Lee Alexander.

A funeral service will be held on December 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Ignite Wesleyan, located

at 404 West Brundage Lane, Sheridan, Wyoming