Betty J. Smith Justice

Betty passed away at Bedford Memorial Hospital, Bedford, Va. on June 28, 2021. Her family loved her dearly and was by her bedside 24/7 until she took her last breath. She was surrounded by many amazing nurses of faith at Bedford Memorial Hospital that honored her with much prayer & love. The hospice nurses and doctors were amazing in emotional & spiritual support of her and our family.

Betty was born on November 29, 1931, in Davy, W. VA. She was one of 12 children, the daughter of Bertha Justice and Joseph William Justice of Davy, W. VA. Her mother passed away at 92 years old and resided in Lynchburg, VA. until her passing. Her father passed away at 101 years old and resided in Claypool Hill, VA. until his passing. Betty resided in Lynchburg, VA. for many years until she moved to Houston, Texas. She graduated with her RN nursing degree in Houston. She was very honored to have worked for the doctor who performed the first successful heart transplant in the United States in May 1968 at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Later she started home health care with elderly patients. She loved her patients and was truly committed to them as though they were her family. She was also a member of the Eastern Star in Houston, Texas. Through this organization she did volunteer work in helping in the community. She later moved to Vacaville, CA. to be closer to her daughter, Donna Stanton. She resided In CA. for 16 years. After that she relocated to Ocean Isle Beach, NC with her grandson, Dwayne & his wife Stacy for three years. She got COVID in February 2021 and amazingly survived and returned home. She relocated to Liberty Ridge Rehabilitation & Nursing facility in Lynchburg, VA. the month of May 2021, due to her declining health. She was there approximately 6 weeks before she passed away. She truly loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, and nieces and was very proud of each one of them and their amazing accomplishments. They adored her as well. She had a strong will to survive in any situation and her daughter will always love, admire, and respect her for that. She has left a wonderful legacy for our family to remember and honor her always as her journey in this life has ended…but only to begin her permanent residency in Heaven…We will miss you and always love you.

She is survived by one sister, Eleanor Newberry of Dobson, NC, one brother Wayne Justice of Athens, W.VA, her four children: Donna Stanton and husband William Stanton, Jr. of Sparks, NV, Randy A. Smith and wife Sharon Smith of Evington, VA, Billy Smith Columbus, TX, Kenny Peters of Asheville, NC, nine grandchildren: Jeff Stanton and wife Megan Stanton of Roseville, CA, Greg Fletcher of Vacaville, CA, Dwayne Smith and wife Stacey Smith of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Heather Campbell and husband Robby Campbell of Asheville, NC, Randale Smith and fiancée Hannah Mitchen of Evington, VA, Carrie Presler and husband Tim Presler of Walla Walla, WA, Brian Smith and wife Traci Smith of Walla Walla, WA, Christopher Peters and wife Delilah Peters of Asheville, NC, Cory Peters and wife Kimberly Peters of Asheville, NC, 22 great-grandchildren, 18 nieces, and 9 nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by three sisters: Margaret Skeens, Bonnie Linda Justice, and Thelma Vandyke, and five brothers: Joseph Justice, Clinton Justice, Roger Justice, Dale Justice, and Tommy Justice.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2021, at Tharp Funeral Home Lynchburg.

A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2021, in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home with Pastor Jack Barrett officiating. Interment will follow at the Smith Family Cemetery in Concord.