Obituary

Betty Smith Thomas

October 4, 1948 - December 30, 2024

Betty Smith Thomas, age 76 and a resident of Mount Hermon, passed away Monday night December 30, 2024 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Tylertown on October 4, 1948 and was a Class of 1966 graduate of Mt. Hermon High School, where she played on the Lady Jackets basketball team. Betty was a member of the State Championship basketball teams in 1966 and 1967, an accomplishment she was forever proud of. She married Donald Ray Thomas on July 8, 1967. Betty worked as a beautician in Franklinton until she and her husband opened Donald’s Hardware (later known as Pine Hardware) in 1975. The couple bought Pine Malt Stand in 1977, selling the hardware store soon after. They operated the restaurant for over 25 years and always enjoyed serving and visiting with the families they met so often. Betty then did clerical and admitting work at Our Lady of The Angels Hospital until her retirement.

She was a longtime active member of Pine First Baptist Church that truly loved the Lord and her church family. Betty possessed a strong Christian faith that she frequently expressed with others and was comfortable in sharing trusted advice to her family and friends in the times it was needed. She loved taking care of her yard and tending to her beautiful flower gardens. Betty was an avid sports fan, especially basketball, watching different games on TV or in person for her extended family. She will be lovingly remembered as a person that enjoyed life to the fullest and was always a joy to be around.

Survived by: Daughter: Brandy Thomas; Sister and Brother in law: Mary and Chip Burr; Sisters in law and Brothers in law: Janis and Raymond Fisher, Randy and Delaine Thomas, Diane and Jimmy Bickham, Darlene Thomas, Joyce Thomas; Nephews and Nieces and great-nephews and great-nieces: Clay, Brenda, Lilly and Wyatt Smith, Brandon, Jill, Parker and Shelby Burr, Kayla, Chad, Camden, Oliver, Jack and Lucas Cathey, Melisa Thomas, Brooke Crain Barlow and family, Michelle, Maddox Thomas and family, Matt, Kathy, Patrick, Emma and Jack Thomas, Travis Thomas and family, Luke Thomas and family, Cody and Aniken Thomas, Amanda, Jody, Will and Lainey Deas, Justin, Noah(Cuneo) and Joshua Ard, Conner, Madison and Nathan Ard, Madison Ard and soon to be family; Bonus Family: Lance Rogers and family, Vance and Tamara Rogers and family, Jimmy, Diane, Amber, Angela, Matthew Stuart and families; Also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends

Betty was welcomed into Heaven by her husband Donald Ray Thomas, parents Fleet Smith, Jr. and Willene Webb Smith, brother Don Smith, father in law and mother in law DL and Artie Thomas, brothers in law Dewey Thomas, Durwin Thomas and other family members.

A memorial service will be held for her family and friends at Pine First Baptist Church (27043 Hwy. 62) on Saturday January 11, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with a celebration of Betty’s life at 12:00 pm with Rev. David Easterling officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to your chosen Cancer Charity in honor of Betty.

Crain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.