Betty Lou Crews Smith

A memorial service for Betty Lou Crews Smith, age 93, will be held at 11:00 a.m. October 3, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, LA, with Dr. Carl Rhodes officiating. Entombment will be at First United Methodist Columbarium. There will be a time of visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

Betty was born in Pittsburg, TX, on April 10, 1933, to Dennis Covington Crews and Phila Slaughter Crews and passed away on September 12, 2026, after a joyous life. Betty and her sister, Mary Ann enjoyed an adventurous childhood growing up with a multitude of cousins, while playing in the family building and lumber supply business. After high school Betty embarked on a life of education, travel and family.

Betty received a B.S. in Education from The University of Texas in 1954, after which she began her travels. First, she taught in Port Arthur, TX, then raising her sights she went to Cheyenne, WY, where the wide-open vistas and nearby mountains kindled her desire to travel further. When the chance to teach overseas at a Department of Defense school came up, she leapt at the chance. This leap was quite fortuitous, because at RAF Alconbury, she met the love of her life Lieutenant Dan J. Smith, a WB-50 navigator, where after a whirlwind romance they married and traveled through Europe. Their first-born son was born in England, after which they headed stateside to raise their children in Shreveport.

Betty received a Master of Education from Centenary College, in addition to a ME+30 (master’s degree +30 graduate hours). She taught a total of 34 years in 1st grade to 5th grade. She loved teaching reading, especially to first grade students. She taught at total five schools in Shreveport, ending her career at University Elementary School where she garnered beloved friends and cherished many memories.

Betty was a devoted member of First United Methodist of Shreveport for 61 years, including United Methodist Women where she served as president for two years, from 2005 to 2006, and she was a member of Circle 3. Her love of exploring family genealogy and archives led to her becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved to play bridge with her best friends and was in the same bridge club since 1963. She also was an avid gardener and science lover.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 56 years, Daniel Joseph Smith; sister, Mary Ann Crews Nash and son, Daniel Crews Smith. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, David J. Smith and wife, Cathy G. Smith of Woodstock, GA; granddaughter, Olivia Sara Smith of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law, Patricia Maloy of Houston, TX; nephews, Bill Nash of Richmond, VA and Devon Maloy and Pavlina and their son, Michael of The Czech Republic and beloved cousins of East Texas and Virginia.

Those honoring Mrs. Smith as honorary pallbearers will be Mary Wynn, Aubrey Booth Wynn II, Wiliam Ashley Nash II, Charlotte Miles, Harold Cowley and Glen Slaughter.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested that memorials be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter, 3636 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, 70816 or to the Humane Society of N. W. Louisiana.