Bette E. (Hoosier) Smith

GILBERT, AZ- Bette Elizabeth Smith, 83, of Gilbert, AZ, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Bette Elizabeth was born September 26, 1926 to Purvis and Flossie Mae Hoosier in Toledo, Ohio. Educated in the Toledo, Ohio school system, Bette graduated from Scotts High School. Bette had one sister, Alma who she loved dearly. At the age of 8 years old she gave her life to Christ and attended the Pentacostal Assemblies of the World Churches. She cherished the love and guidance from her spiritual mother, Dr. Lottie Glenn. Some years later she and her sister heard of two young Evangelists from Philadelphia, coming to the area to preach. One of them, Elder Wallace W. Smith she married on February 7, 1945. They would soon move to the Philadelphia area and their marriage was blessed with five children. Bette loved to sing her favorite songs "Jesus Is Always There" and "My Lovely Father Watches Over Me" and was a member of Tabernacle Gospel Singers and served on the Church choir at God's Bible Church and Community Bible Tabernacle where she was the First Lady. At both God's Bible Church and CBT she believed in the power of prayer and led many prayer meetings. She loved helping young women and facilitated many seminars pertaining to women's issues. She attended nursing school and attained her designation as a RN while raising 5 children. She later acknowledged and accepted a call to the ministry. Affectionately called "Evangelist Bette Smith"or"Mom Bette" she ministered throughout the United States. She later served as President of the Women's department of the Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. In her later years she relocated to Virginia to live with her daughter Gilda and then to Arizona to live with her son, Paul. There she attended Christ Life Church and was loved by the membership. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Wallace W. Smith and sister Alma Leer. She leaves to cherish her memory 5 children Wallace (Theresa), Gilda (Kenneth), Nathaniel, Paul (Deborah), Michael (Minnie), 1 adopted son Tony Gaillard, 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. A Homegoing Service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, Wilkes-Barre. Officiating will be Bette's son, the Reverend Wallace Smith. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, is in charge of arrangements.