Betty Jeanne (Cansler) Smithee

Betty Jeanne (Cansler) Smithee was born September 3, 1925, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Opal Maime Dyer Cansler and Thomas Corbin Cansler.  She was one of the first babies born at Saint Anthony Hospital, in Oklahoma City, Ok.  She left this earthly world on 02/24/2023 in Kodak, Tennessee at the age of 97.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Opal and Father, Tom; sister, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Cansler-Winfree; her husband, Donald E. Smithee (affectionately known as Smitty) and her great- grandsons, Riley H. Rice and Charles (Trey) B. Hayes III.

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela K. Browning, Camilla J. Puckett, Rita M. Trauth, and Sherri R. Hayes.  In turn they would bless her with 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was a gifted artist and fashion illustrator.  Her portfolio included fashion illustrations for boutiques and department stores in Oklahoma and Texas and was seen in local newsprint and magazines.  But her professional career was that of a bookkeeper for a number of businesses in Oklahoma City, Ok. and later, Arlington, TX.  It was during her years as a bookkeeper in OKC, she met the true love of life, “Smitty”.  He whisked her and her daughters off to Texas in 1964.  Texas would be her home until 2017.  It was then she relocated to the beautiful foothills of the Eastern Tennessee mountains, where she lived out the remaining years of life with her oldest daughter, Pam.

She graduated from McAlester High School in 1943.  She later attended both OSU in Oklahoma City, OK and University of Texas at Arlington, TX – with a focus on art.

She and Smitty loved to travel.  Wherever they went, Betty’s sketchbook was always close by.  In her later years she enjoyed bird watching and painting rocks to leave at various locations to brighten a person’s day.  She was happiest when eating Mexican food and drinking Margaritas.

Although not a member of Pathways church in Sevierville, TN she attended virtually and rarely missed a service.  The prayers and thoughtfulness of Pastor Brent Freeman and Keith Thornton will always be remembered and cherished by our family.

The family would like to thank all those involved in her care over the past several years. Especially and most recently, Dr. Lauren Polvino, Dr. Thurman, Dr. Wygren, Dr. Bogati, Dr. Carmelo Venero, UT Home Health and UT Hospice who’s  graciousness and sincere compassion will never be forgotten.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in Kodak, TN on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 and at a later date for her loved ones in Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to UT Hospice, UT Home Health, or click on the link below to plant a tree. In honor of Betty’s love for art, embrace your creativity by creating something special to share with those you love, as she did for us, perhaps even paint a rock to leave in a place of your choice.

Arrangements by Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Jeanne (Cansler) Smithee, please visit our floral store.