Betsy (Plos) Smith

Betsy (Plos) Smith, 93, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center.

Born January 8, 1930 in St. Louis, MO, she was a daughter of Dante and Marie (Mica) Plos. Her family later moved to Hillsboro, IL and Betsy was a member of the Hillsboro High School graduating class of 1947. She and Mr. Lowell Smith, also of Hillsboro, married Dec. 24, 1947 at St. Mary’s Rectory in Litchfield. Mr. Smith passed July 1, 2009.

While raising a large family with her husband for over 61 years, Mrs. Smith also held many jobs in the local area including working on the family farm with her husband and oldest children, cooking and food preparation in local restaurants (the Gardens, and others), connecting others together as an ICTC telephone operator, and running social activities as a team member at the Carlyle Healthcare Center. Mrs. Smith was also employed through the years as activity director at Pleasant Hill Nursing Home in Girard, and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis. She received profound enjoyment from traveling, going to casinos, dancing, ice skating, playing cards (pinochle and rummy) with family and neighbors, listening to music and attending concerts and other live performances. Mrs. Smith also played the piano and accordion herself and was happy hearing her children’s and grand- and great-grand children’s musical talents. In her most recent years, she kept sharp by working crossword puzzles, trying new food recipes, and keeping up with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.  She had a very pragmatic approach to life, a large personality, and a one-of-a-kind laugh. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Left to cherish her memory are three sons, Michael (wife Brenda Hemken) Smith of Sugar Grove, Jim Smith of Litchfield, and Kevin Smith of Seattle, WA; four daughters, Mary Ellen (husband Don) Atkins of Tombstone, AZ, Barbara (husband Jeff) Roach of Litchfield, Margery (companion George Howard) Smith of Santa Rosa, CA, and Karen Smith of San Francisco; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents as well as a sister, Gloria (Plos) Sutton, a resident of Virginia Beach, VA.

The family will receive friends at a visitation held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Fr. Daniel J. Willenborg will preside.

Memorials in Mrs. Smith’s honor may be made in honor of Lenore Roach to the Rett Spectrum Clinic at St. Louis Children’s Hospital or to Montgomery County Veterans Assistance Commission.