Betty Lou Martin Smith

We are heartbroken to report the passing of Betty Martin Smith, on Sunday June 7, 2026. She appropriately passed at sunset, which was her favorite time of day. She often called her family to observe the spectacular sunsets on the western horizon. Betty was a wife and mother of many talents who was and remains beloved by her extended family and friends.

She was born to Ezra Samuel Martin and Louise Barthlome Martin in Preston, Idaho, with three older brothers. While going through Preston’s public school system, she showed early signs of being a gifted artist and fiction writer. She attended Brigham Young University and worked as the private secretary to Belle S. Spafford, president of the Relief Society. Betty appeared on the cover of Relief Society Magazine with Spafford. She also published over 30 short stories in Relief Society Magazine and won awards for her writing. Betty was a prolific artist, having sold her paintings around the globe. These are but a few of her talents and interests which also included interior decorating, piano playing, and reflexology. From her childhood, she was told that she had healing hands. Even in her later years, she was adamant that she use her talent to help people and not to make money. Betty always had a thirst for knowledge and could become very competitive at Jeopardy or Scrabble. She seemed to be always on the move and working on several projects at once. And she would see those projects through.

She married Loran D. “Tate” Smith, making their home eventually in Logan. She always made her homes, wherever she moved, a beautiful place and a haven from the world. Despite her many interests, she claimed her greatest pleasure came from being a wife and mother. Betty was a devout and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many callings and believed in the power of priesthood. She cherished her membership in Logan’s Lundstrom Park Second Ward. She valued her friendships there with four Marilyns, Lorna, Barbara, Vernett, Mary Beth, and Johnnie among other newer kinships from the past few years. Betty cultivated many soulful friendships in and out of the ward. Her children and their friends called her “Aiti,” which is Finnish for mother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tate, in 2013, as well as her parents and her in-laws, Loran H. Smith & Beneta Talbot Smith. She was also preceded by brothers Johnny Martin, Don Martin, Ezra Dee Martin, and their spouses Fern Seamons Martin, Joene Evans Martin, and the recent passing of Karen Wickham Martin in February. The list also encompasses her brothers-in-law Delmar Smith and Farrell Smith, as well their spouses Edna Heil Smith Atchley and Aleen Olsen Smith. Additionally, she was predeceased by her close friend Eleanor Watson in March. She is survived by her daughter, Shalayne Smith Needham of Logan, sons Tracey Smith of Farmington, and Steven Smith of Logan, as well as son-in-law Edward Needham. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who she adored and many friends and neighbors.

Betty’s family wishes to thank Maple Springs for their fine rehab work. She spent the last year and a half at Autumn Care in Hyde Park where she was lovingly attended to by an excellent team. Her family is forever grateful to them for their compassion and tenderness.

A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th, at 11:00 AM at Preston Cemetery. All are welcome.

When on vacation or doing something she loved, Betty often proclaimed that “I feel set free!” After her tribulations of the past few years, her family hopes she feels free now.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com