Betty Jane Nelson Smith

Betty Jane Nelson Smith passed away at Noble Gardens Senior Living, Jacksonville, Florida on August 6, 2022, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband James Richard Smith, a nephew Albert Wayne Chamberlain, her sister Effie Lucille Nelson Nuernberger, her brother Ernest Clifford Nelson, Jr., and her adoptive parents Ernest Clifford Nelson and Maggie Grainger Nelson. She is survived by her sons Richard Ernest, Ronald James, Randall Raymond (Laurie Fay), grandchildren Jessica Megan Ashley (Brett), James Larson Kayes-Smith (Jessica), Julia Mallory Shouse (Blake), Jaclyn Maci Skinner (Austin), great-grandchildren Launa Kate Ashley, Lorelei Rose Ashley, Landon Tate Ashley, Penelope Nancy Kayes-Smith, Dawson Blake Shouse (born August 8, 2022), nieces Janet Franzoni and Darlene Chamberlain Guess, and nephew Timothy Chamberlain. Betty was born in Bartow, Florida and was a long-time resident of Jacksonville. After graduating from Andrew Jackson Senior High School, she studied bookkeeping and had a brief career with the Duval County Juvenile Records Division. She married James in 1951 and became a full-time homemaker. She was an accomplished roller skater in her younger years and a dedicated league bowler. An avid table games player, she also enjoyed jig-saw puzzles and word and number puzzles, especially sudoku. As an active member of the congregation of Murray Hill Baptist Church, she served in several volunteer positions. A member of several service organizations, she often served as their treasurer. She volunteered at Riverside Hospital, Jacksonville for many years as a member of the Pink Ladies. Betty’s kind heart and graciousness will be long remembered by her family and the many others that she helped and supported during her life. Her cremains will be interred alongside her beloved husband James at Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 Main Street North, Jacksonville, Florida.