Betty Leota (McLaughlin) Smith

Betty Leota Smith, 77, of East Mollne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice, Bettendorf, Iowa, surrounded by her husband and family when she was called to heaven.

Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at The Bible Holiness Church, 2201- Old Colona Road, East Moline. Pastor Kenneth Beach will officiate.  Visitation will be two hours prior starting at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Port Byron.  Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary is assisting the family.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pregnancy Resources and Christian Care.

Betty Leota McLaughlin was born April 4, 1944 at Moline Public Hospital; the daughter of Morris A. “Mike” and Thurle Clarissa (Pardee) Mc Laughlin.  They made their home in East Moline.  She was a 1962 graduate of the old United Township High School.  Betty married James Edward Murray in 1963.  From this union was born Jim, Jon, and Joe Murray.  She later married Rex David Smith November 22, 1985 in Davenport, Iowa.  They were together for over 38 years, happily married for over 36 years.  From this union,  the family added Scott, Josh, and Mary Beth Smith.  

Betty worked in the medical profession her entire career as a billing specialist and medical secretary, working for Dr. Richard Powell (deceased), The Asthma Allergy Clinic, Dr. Mohana Velagapudi, Dr. Appaji Gondi, Dr. David Denmead (deceased), Moline Public Hospital, and Moline Orthopedic Associates. 

She was an avid lover of harness racing at the Quad City Downs, where she and Rex met.  Rex and Betty owned, trained, and raced several horses over the years.  She was a devoted Elvis fan. Betty loved to collect his memorabilia and listen to his music.  Betty was a collector of pottery and Isabel Bloom Easter Eggs and Hearts.  One of her favorite things to do was being “on computer” so she could keep up with family and friend news.  Betty’s greatest love was her church.  She spent lots of time in fellowship and servitude with The Bible Holiness Church. Betty served as Missions President for years and helped numerous organizations throughout the community.  Pastor Kenneth Beach and the BHC Family were instrumental in her Faith and her devotion to Jesus Christ. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rex, her children, Jim (Sheree) Murray, Ormond by the Sea, Florida, Jon (Melissa) Murray, East Moline, Joe (Pam) Murray, Bettendorf, Scott (Merenda) Smith, Effingham, Illinois, Josh (Heather Rossman) Smith, Vincennes, Indiana, and Mary Beth Smith, Marshall, Illinois, 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, her sister, Darlene “Dean” Black, Hampton, Illinois and special friends, Sandy Buckwalter, Becky Pearsall, and Bob Retzel. 

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Morris A. “Mike” and Thurle (Pardee) McLaughlin, brother-in-law, Francis “Bud” Black, step-mother, Mary (Soliz) Mc Laughlin, mother-in-law, Hazel Smith, several aunts, and uncles.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes to the entire Bible Holiness Congregation and Pastor Beach for their devotion and dedication to Betty’s walk with Christ.  A special thank you also goes to (Grandson) Pastor Jacob (Mya) Dilger from Urbana Assembly of God, Urbana, Illinois, for his devotion and fellowship with Betty.  Also, the family wishes to express a deeply heartfelt and sincere thank you to the nurses and staff at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice.  Their kindness and support of Betty during her stay was un paralleled and will never be forgotten.

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