Bette Clarke Smith

Bette Clarke Smith, 85, of Morganton went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 10, 2017 after several years of declining health.  Born in Morganton on June 2, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Granville DeWitt Clarke and Lula Ward Clarke of Morganton.

Bette was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder on the Session, and was involved with the Women of the Church.  For several years she also led the devotionals in the women’s Sunday school class and was a member of the Women’s Circle.  Bette was a recipient of the First Presbyterian Church Lifetime Member award and was a long-time member of the Morganton Service League. She had retired with 30 years of service to Broughton Hospital as administrative assistant to the Director. Bette may best be remembered for her sourdough bread that she loved to share with family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Myra Clarke Frumkin.

Bette is survived by her husband, Boyd H. Smith of the home; a daughter, Melissa Smith Murphy (Charles) of Apex, NC; a son, David Clarke Smith of Willow Spring, NC; grandchildren, Laura Caroline Murphy, Sarah Catherine Murphy, Elizabeth Virginia Murphy, and Matthew Clarke Smith; and a sister, Anne Clarke Turner of Wilmington, Delaware.

The family would like to thank the staff of Grace Ridge Retirement Center for their wonderful care and loving attention that she received. They would also like to thank Catawba Regional Hospice for their outstanding care.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, August 19, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Wanda Neely and the Rev. Adam Bowling officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service in the church’s fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Grace Ridge Educational Fund, 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.