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Betty Rae Smith Obituary - Hill Funeral Home

Obituary for Betty Rae Smith

Betty Rae Smith 1930-2015

Betty Rae Smith

09/10/1930 - 12/10/2015

Condolences

Condolence From: Ray Lowther, Charleston, WV
Condolence: I learned today (12/30/15) of Betty Rae's passing. My belated condolences to Dick, Diana and Kent. I have many fond memories of making music with Betty Rae and Dick with the Parkersburg Choral Society, Marietta Bach Society and within the greater Parkersburg community.
Two special memories of Betty Rae remain with me: one, when conducting the Parkersburg Choral Society (I believe in Bach's "Christmas Oratorio"), as a young conductor of Westminster Choir College training where conducting was "phrase influenced" rather than "patterned influenced", I remember Betty Rae coming to me at a break, pulling me aside confidentially, and saying, "We have to see a strong downbeat. Give us a clear "one". You can do whatever you want on beats 2-3 and 4, but we got to have a clear "one". From anyone else I may have been offended, but not from Betty Rae because I so admired her musicianship and respected her opinion which was given discreetly and with love. To this day, when I am conducing, especially instrumental ensembles, I remember her words of wisdom, "Give us a clear "one". Her advice has served me well.
The second memory was stopping by Betty Rae and Dick's home when they lived in North Lake (Vincent, OH) at the end of the day of the last day of school before the Christmas break. (I was the choral director at Warren Local HS). I had copies of Mannheim Steamroller's arrangements of Christmas music scored for two pianos/four hands. Betty Rae had two great pianos in her home and we enjoyed reading these arrangements followed by warm cocoa or tea/coffee. It was never a performance but rather a time to just read and make music for enjoyment.
Betty Rae was truly a musician's musician but more importantly a remarkable lady who loved music and people. Her engaging laugh and warm genuine smile remain with me. May the influence she had on countless people with music and the presence of God sustain Dick, Diana and Kent at this time. Ray Lowther

Wednesday December 30, 2015

Condolence From: Diana Whitlatch, Parkersburg, WV
Condolence: Betty Rae always held a special place in my memories. I so much enjoyed singing with her in the choir at First United Methodist in Parkersburg. I never sing "In Excelsios Deo" without hearing her say..."No, it is EEn, not In" Farewell beautiful lady. My deepest prayers for her family.

Monday December 14, 2015

Condolence From: Susan Carder-Steed, Washington, West Virginia
Condolence: To the Smith family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Betty Rae. What a beautiful lady and soul. I had the great joy of playing flute in the Marietta College Symphony in the early '80's when Betty Rae was also playing the oboe. She had a great sense of humor and we had a few giggles while trying to play our instruments. Good memories. But one special memory I have of Betty Rae is a compliment I received from her during my senior year at PHS and playing in the All State Orchestra that year. I had a piccolo solo in one of the pieces we were performing. After the performance she came up to me, all smiles, and said, "Susan girl...I didn't know you had that in you! Wonderful piccolo playing!". That meant more to me that she probably ever knew. What a sweet, gracious woman. I know many friends and family will miss her dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to all for peace in their hearts and wonderful memories of Betty Rae to hold onto.
Lovingly...Susan Carder-Steed.

Monday December 14, 2015

Condolence From: AMANDA MORELAND, Worthington, OH
Condolence: My sincere condolences to Betty Rae's Family. I always enjoyed listening to Betty Rae play music at Church of the Master. She graciously played for my daughter, Lauren Audrey's Funeral on June 10, 2002. It was a beautiful contribution to the service. Betty Rae will be missed. Blessings and prayers from my family to yours.

Monday December 14, 2015

Condolence From: Melissa Stevens, Westerville, OH
Condolence: Betty Rae was like a bright ray of sunshine each and every time I saw her. Imprinted in my mind are the words, "Melissa Dear girl." She used to say them all the time when I saw her and I still hear them when I am not with her. She was an avid supporter of my oboe playing, my husband's teaching and my children's performing. Betty Rae really was our greatest musical supporter and I will miss her more than words can express. She always wanted to know when one of us was having a concert or when Mark was conducting. The kids and I enjoyed so much going to Richard and Betty Rae's house and performing for them. Nate used to ask if we could go play on the "big piano" at their house. She loved to give musical input and we loved to receive it from her. I looked forward to watching her enjoy them play. She always had cookies for them when they were done playing and they loved that! My condolences go out to the entire family for their loss. She will always hold a place in my heart and be remembered for the amazing woman, friend, musician and supporter that she was.
Love, Melissa Stevens

Sunday December 13, 2015

Condolence From: Jerry Pribanic, Jacksonville, Florida
Condolence: Dick, Diana and Kent;

Georgia and I are truly saddened about the loss of Betty Rae. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers be a comfort to you and your family during this difficult time. We will always remember her for her warm & wonderful personality and love of music.

Sunday December 13, 2015

Condolence From: Melanie Brooke Ransom, Olympia, WA
Condolence: I was so sorry to hear of Betty Rae's passing. We attended the same church in Parkersburg, and she was my piano teacher. My parents, Donna & Richard Brooke, were good friends of the Smith family. Inexplicably, she would feed my brother and I snacks when we went there for piano lessons. One time I spilled an entire glass of milk all over the kitchen floor. Oh dear! Betty Rae just got down on the floor and mopped the whole floor right then and there. I suspect that she was an amazing housekeeper in addition to be such a wonderful musician. She will be missed. Much love to Dick, Diana, and Kent.

Sunday December 13, 2015

Condolence From: Les Paul, Marietta, Ohio
Condolence: Betty Rae served as a great inspiration to me during years we played music together in Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH areas over many years. She and Dick encouraged me back into performing, forever changing my life. Her magical musical performances and beautiful personality flowed into thousands of hearts through the years, never to be forgotten. My heartfelt thanks, condolence and love to Dick and family.

Saturday December 12, 2015

Condolence From: Lynn LeMasters, Ocala, Florida
Condolence: Betty Rae was an inspiration to me. She was a gifted pianist. I was lucky enough to have performed with her in several events in Parkersburg, WV back in the 1970's. We cut a record back in 1972 performing a Schubert Mass in D and also several times in the annual performances of Handle's Messiah. We had many conversations during the practices and I enjoyed her company so much. She was one of God's great gifts to all of us. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Saturday December 12, 2015

Condolence From: Thomas Jaber, Missouri City, Texas
Condolence: To Dick and Kent and the entire family of Betty Rae Smith:

Andrea and our children and I send our deepest sympathy to you all at this very sad time of loss. We will always remember Betty Rae's wonderful spirit and love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and MUSIC!

May God continue to richly bless you all with memories that bring you comfort and a constant awareness of Betty Rae's great and endearing presence.

With love,

Tom, Andrea, Benjamin, Patricia and Joseph Jaber

Friday December 11, 2015

Condolence From: Natalie Watt, Versailles, KY
Condolence: Peace be with you Mr. Smith, and with your family. Mrs. Smith was, as you all know, an extraordinarily talented musician and teacher, and a wonderful role model to me and countless other students. She was a true, kind, generous, funny, supportive friend to my mother and our family and we were all blessed to have known her. All of you are in my prayers. Love, Natalie

Friday December 11, 2015

Condolence From: Ruthie Maxwell
Condolence: What a beautiful picture. I had the pleasure of taking my own sweet mother on a badly needed road trip to visit Betty Rae and Dick last month. We had a wonderful time catching up and laughing, and eating! The year after I married, we lost Gladys, which left a void in my life to this day. For my entire adulthood BR has been there serving as the bedrock of what is left of my extended Brostman connection. It takes a special person to share the delirious pleasure afforded by indulging in poppy seed roll at Christmas time. It's kind of like love...you just know. You get it or you don't. BR and I shared that, and this has given me such a sense of belonging across the years and miles, and by extension, connection to our Grandma Anna who baked the stuff when she was a much younger woman than I am now. To the uninitiated, a commentary on an old family recipe may seem insignificant, but it is everything. Family history and the stories shared while baking and eating the stuff is something to be treasured and irreplacible. Though I only saw BR every few years we were deeply connected. I could say 2 words about an amusing family situation, and there would be instant laughter until we were crying. And she gave to me as an adult, such insight into the person my dad was, having grown up with him. And when I was enjoying the warmth of her company, the void was filled for a little while, and I was transported back to a time when I still had all the family members I loved around me, and that has been such a gift.

Thursday December 10, 2015

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