betty jo (rogerson) smitherman
Mrs.
Betty Jo Rogerson Smitherman passed away peacefully surrounded by her
family on the 29th of December 2014. Betty Jo was born in El Dorado,
Arkansas on the 22nd of July 1927 to Beatrice Wheat and John Biscoe
Rogerson. After graduating from El Dorado High School she attended
Lindenwood College in Saint Charles, Missouri. She then went to the
University of Texas, where she was a member Delta Delta Delta sorority,
graduating in 1949 with a B.A. and in 1953 with a master's degree in
English Literature. She also attended South Texas College of Law. At UT
she met Eugene "Red" Smitherman on a blind date. They married on the
1st of December 1951 and settled in Houston. BJ and Gene are
longstanding devoted members of River Oaks Baptist Church, joining in
1954, and have been active supporters of River Oaks Baptist School. She
was also an active member of the Bluebird Circle where she volunteered
frequently at both the Neurosensory Center and the Bluebird shop. Most
of all, BJ dedicated her life to supporting her husband and raising
their three children. Betty Jo is survived by her husband Gene of 63 years, and their children, Leigh Smitherman Edwards and her husband Bob, and their children Alston, Francie and Teddy; John Smitherman and his wife Lois, and their children Eben and Marylynn; and Mary Nell Smitherman Browning and her husband Bill, and their daughters Mary Bell and Ina.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Carolyn Washington, Brittney Washington, Darlene Franks, Rolanda Green and Linda Bell who have provided caring support for Betty Jo for the past two years.
The funeral service is to be conducted at noon, Tuesday, the 30th of December, at River Oaks Baptist Church, 2300 Willowick Road, where Martus Miley, Pastor, is to officiate.
The family requests with gratitude that any memorial contributions in Betty Jo's name be directed to The Bluebird Circle, 615 West Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77056 or River Oaks Baptist Church.