Elizabeth (Betty Acuff) Smith, age 72 of Charleston, Illinois, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2013 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. Her cremated remains will be inurned next to other family members in the Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

Betty, as she was affectionately known, was born on December 16, 1941 in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of the late Robert L. and Elsie (Pryor) Acuff. She is survived by two devoted sons, David Garrison Smith of the Seattle, Washington area and James Pryor Smith and wife Karen of Bellevue, Washington; four grandchildren, Caden Smith, Noah Smith, Jack Smith and Sarah Smith, all of Washington; a brother, Jack Pryor Acuff and wife Carol of Grand Junction, Colorado; and three nephews and their families, Dr. Colm Acuff of Savannah, Georgia, Robert Acuff, III of Richmond, Virginia and Nathaniel Acuff of Crested Butte, Colorado. In addition to her parents she was preceded by a brother, Robert L. Acuff, Jr.

Betty was a graduate of Parkview High School in Springfield and furthered her education at the University of Missouri in Columbia where she received a Bachelors Degree and was President of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Following graduation she lived and taught school in the Columbia School District. Betty and her family also lived in Florida, Michigan and Washington before moving to Charleston in 1977 where for 20 years she served Charleston and the surrounding area as a sales representative.

For many years Betty attended the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston and also attended Central Christian Church. She had a compassionate heart and in response to her desire to help those in need she graciously served as the Director for the Coalition for People in Need. She was an avid reader and even enjoyed traveling – both in the U.S. and abroad. Betty enjoyed many good friendships and treasured those special relationships. She dearly loved her family and always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren – they were her pride and joy. Betty will always be lovingly remembered and memories of special times shared will always be cherished by her family and many friends.
(Adams Funeral Chapel Dec/2013)