Betty Jo Smith

Betty Jo Valentine Smith age 89 of Paris, TN, died Friday, May 23, 2025, at Patriot Healthcare in Paris.

Betty was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church and formerly worked at the Clippard Plant and Plumley Rubber company. Betty shared her passion of flowers and gardening with others. The seed was sown as a young farm girl, the oldest of seven children.

She married Billy Wayne Smith December 23, 1956, and he preceded her in death September 23, 2017.

Born August 18, 1935, in Puryear, TN, she was the daughter of the late L.T. “Pete” Valentine and the late Bernice Hart Valentine.

She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Ann “Jackie” (Robert) Kaltz of Clarkston, MI, her son, Terry Wayne (Sally) Smith of Paris; two sisters, Patricia “Pat” (Gordon) Holly of Jackson, TN, and Mildred Moore of Paris; two brothers, Franklin D. (Charlyne) Valentine of Paris, and Barney K. (Brenda) Valentine of Puryear; two grandchildren, Ryan (Mallory) Kaltz, and Amanda (Brent) Kulik; and six great grandchildren, Drew Kaltz, Eli Kaltz, Liam Kaltz, Easton Kulik, Isaiah Kulik, and Carter Kulik.

Along with her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by a son, Larry Joe Smith; and two brothers, Jimmy Lee Valentine, and Kenneth H. Valentine.

Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap St./ P.O. Box 788, Paris, TN 38242, will be handling the arrangements. Visitation will be held Friday May 30th, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Her funeral service will be held Friday May 30th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home with Chad Kennedy officiating.

Serving as pallbearers for the service will be Robert Kaltz, Ryan Kaltz, Mallory Kaltz, Amanda Kulik, Brent Kulik, and Gordon Holly.

Burial will follow the service in the Birds Creek Cemetery in the Whitlock Community.

Memorials may be made to the Birds Creek Cemetery Maintenance Fund CBTC Trust c/o Miranda Moon P.O. Box 1090, Paris, TN 38242.