Betty Jean Sheffield Smith

Betty Jean Sheffield Smith of Marietta died peacefully at home on June 23, 2018, at the age of 84. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Donald David Smith. She is survived by their five children: Donald and Marcia Smith of Powder Springs, Patricia and Scott Davis, Susan and Donnie Lyle, Robin and James Arias Jr., all of Marietta; Laura and Brad Lord of Duluth, sisters Iris Coleman and Russell Smelley both of Petersburg, Virginia. Grandchildren include Amber Smith Caldwell, Joshua and Jacob Smith, Allison and Ryan Davis, Nick and Zachary Lyle, Melody Lyle Madray, Stephanie and Thomas Lord, Kelly Lord Burger, the late James (Jimmy) Arias III, Rachel Arias Wiggins, and Sarah Arias. She had seven great-grandchildren, two step-great-granddaughters, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Smith was born on July 3, 1933, the fifth of seven children of Hazel and Louis Sheffield of Petersburg, Virginia. Family and church were always priorities for her, having near perfect Sunday School attendance through her childhood. She continued to stay active in church throughout her life, volunteering her time and talents in numerous endeavors to show people God’s love. After 1993, she began serving God on mission trips across the U.S. and all over the world with Roswell Street Baptist Church and other churches in the Noonday Baptist Association. She traveled to Asia, Australia, Africa, Central Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America. She annually worked building churches across America with Builders for Christ, and routinely responded to emergencies working with the Red Cross Disaster Relief. Mrs. Smith was a true servant of Christ, always living as an example of His love to her children. Her family and friends mourn her loss but rejoice in her arrival into the Kingdom of God. Funeral Service will be held Friday at 3:00 p.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Builders For Christ.org, Cobb Street Ministries at 1750 Powder Springs Rd. Suite 190, P.O Box 378, Marietta, Georgia 30064; or Roswell Street Baptist Church Missions Ministries. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

Betty Jean Sheffield Smith

July 3, 1933 - June 23, 2018