Betty Smith

Betty Lou Spivey Smith, July 10, 1943 - Nov. 1, 2012.

Betty Lou Spivey Smith, 69, of Bay Tree Lakes, lived every moment of her life. " Life is a banquet table and most poor suckers are starving to death!" She danced, sang, hula hooped, skied, surfed, and laughed her way through. Her boundless energy was inexplicable and contagious. She was a shagging queen, a gourmet cook, and a successful businesswoman. She holds a NC State Trick Water Skiing Record. She was altruistic and always found the good in people, no matter how difficult. Her famous quote was, "The hardest people to love are the ones that need it the most." She strived to make other people feel special, because to her they were. She gave all of herself to her family & friends. She was a mother to many and a friend to everyone. She never met a stranger and they often became lifelong friends. Many say she changed their lives. She was always the life of the party, and life was a party for her. She danced till she fell and she surfed all summer with an oxygen tank strapped to her back. An inspiration to all. There wasn't anything she couldn't do.



She died at home on her beloved lake with her husband of 44 years, Mike, and her daughter, Starlotte, holding her hand. Just the way she wanted.



She was born in Lumberton on July 10, 1943 to the late Bonnie McDaniel Spivey and Esba Johnson Spivey. Her brother, Roger Spivey of Red Springs, precedes her in death. She went to Lumberton High School, Kings College in Charlotte, and later received a masters degree from UNCW.



Surviving is her husband, Michael Curtiss Smith; her daughter, Starlotte Smith Holguin and husband Toby; her son, Markham Scott Smith, a beloved Aunt Margaret J. Ivey, several cousins and precious dogs & grandogs.



She fought a courageous battle against a disease that has no treatment and no cure, and she never gave up hope. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 West Evergreen Avenue, Suite 204, Chicago, IL, 60642, Donate by Phone: 
888.733.6741, or http://pulmonaryfibrosis.donorpages.com/Tribute/BettyLouSpiveySmith/

A celebration of her life will be held on November 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm, held at the Bay Tree Lakes Clubhouse.