Bettye Jo Smith Taylor

Bettye Jo Smith Taylor, 87, was born July 27, 1938, and passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, after a lengthy illness.

Bettye was born in Fouke, Arkansas, and graduated from Bradley Arkansas High School. After high school, she moved to Shreveport, where she met the love of her life. She and Bo were married on Friday the 13th, but it was anything but unlucky. Together, they started several successful businesses. She worked beside Bo, all the while keeping her three boys and house in order.

She was a member of Northwoods Baptist Church. Her generosity to her family and others was a testimony to her faith.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Jewel Irene Cox; stepfather, Horace Cox; father, John H. Smith; brother, John N. (Buck)Smith (Bennie); stepsisters, Mary Weinstein, Melba Cheney; stepbrothers, Kenneth Cox, Ben Cox.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Duwain (Bo) Taylor; three sons, Jeffrey W. Taylor (Alison), John R. Taylor, Joseph D. Taylor; four grandchildren, Jonathan D. Taylor (Anna), Jordan C. Taylor (Emilee), Beth Haddad (Alex), Blair Jackson (Woody); four great grandchildren, Noah, Ada, Wade and Annelise; two special nieces; Debbie Jo Stanford, Rachel Havill; and many relatives and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bettye will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.