Elizabeth D. Smith passed away peacefully at Freedom Village in the early morning on Friday, June 22, 2018. She died one day short of her 94thbirthday, June 23, 2018.
Betty was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA to the late W. Clyde Decker, DDS and Alice Fidler Decker.
Betty was very bright and an excellent student, and graduated early from West Philadelphia High School. She continued her studies at Drexel University and matriculated during the years of World War II. She carried on and waited for her fiancé to return from Europe. He did not, having been shot by a German sniper. After the war ended she worked for ASTM. She met our father Edwin B. Smith at Calvary Methodist Church in West Philadelphia. He was smitten, she initially was not. He persisted, driving from Norfolk, VA to see her every weekend. They married October 26, 1948 in Philadelphia.
The newly married couple moved to Huntington, WV, where their daughter Margerie was born. Soon afterward they moved back to Pennsylvania and their son Edwin III was born.Then the family moved to Pomeroy Heights in Sadsbury Township. In 1963 a tragedy struck and her healthy husband Edwin passed away suddenly after a brief illness. Elizabeth was tough and resilient and raised her young family with help from relatives. She took a position at Friendship Elementary School as an Administrative Assistant. “Betty /Mrs. Smith" was well known and respected to those who knew and loved her. She adored the staff and the children, and after 36 years of hard work, Elizabeth retired. For her, initially, retirement was a difficult adjustment. She loved flowers, traveling, and being involved in church activities.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband Edwin B. Smith, brother William C. Decker, and son-in-law Captain Barry Gastrock USN (Ret.).
She is survived and sorely missed by her two children; Margerie A. Smith, Esq., and Edwin B. Smith III., and many loving family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, 11AM, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 107 S 17th Ave, Coatesville, PA 19320, visitation will be 10AM-10:45AM, reception to follow, interment at Upper Octorara Cemetery,Parkesburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Under the Roof Campaign” at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
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