Betty Jane Brown

Betty Jane Brown, the oldest child of late Mannie B. and Queen Elizabeth Smith Sr, was born on April 17, 1945 in Bulloch County, Georgia. On April 7, 2025, at the age of 79, she entered into a peaceful rest from Memorial Health University Medical Center. 

Betty was a believer in God from an early age and knew the Lord as her Savior. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Onley, GA and later in Newark, NJ at Bethel Baptist Church. Where she served on the Pastor’s Aide Committee to Pastor Rouse.

Betty was educated in the Bulloch County School system where she was a member of the Williams James High School graduating class of 1963. About a year after she graduated she relocated to New Jersey. Betty was always helping people and her community. She loved children. In Newark, NJ she helped families with food insecurities at a food co-op. In Irvington, NJ, Betty was a cafeteria worker at Grove Street School. After her youngest daughter was hit by a car at another school and was told there was a shortage of crossing guards, Betty became one. 

Betty believed everyone can do better and would encourage her family and friends to do their best, including herself. She studied hard, (with the support of her husband William and  family), to become a nurse and a phlebotomist. She worked for Bayada Traveling Nurses and later worked for the State of New Jersey at Woodbridge Development Center for individuals with developmental disabilities, (budget cut affects half the staff). She later worked for a patient van service picking up patients. While visiting her middle daughter in hospital, they had a problem getting her blood and she told them she’ll do it …and she did. The doctor recommended that she come and work at Irvington General Hospital. She even helped deliver her 1st (2) granddaughters and loved her family. Where there’s a will, Betty made a way. She also worked with her children at home during the summer break with academic enrichment and encouraged other moms to do the same. (Something schools have started doing recently) 

Betty, along with her devoted husband of 49 years, the late William E Brown Sr. (Jan 19, 2016) returned to Georgia after retiring and made Savannah their home.

Siblings who preceded her in death are: Annie Smith Griffin, Martha L Grover, Cecilia Barton and Eddie Smith. Those here to continue to share her love and memories are: 3 daughters, Cynthia Smith, Savannah, GA; Antwen Denise (Willie) Green, Irvington, NJ and Sharie A Brown, Newark, NJ, 2 sons, William E (Jennifer) Brown Jr., and Alquan M. Mays-Brown both of Savannah, GA; one sister Beullah Mitchell of Savannah, GA, 3 brothers, Mannie B (Rosalyn) Smith Jr., Roy Lee (Barbara) Smith both of Ellabell, GA, Carl (Tina) Smith of Savannah, GA, one aunt Eartail Scott of Atlanta, GA, 10 grandchildren Latasha, Betty C., Shanika, Todd Jr., Diamond, Shalyiah, Tyteanna, Christopher, Daquaan and Trinasia, 5 great-grands, Ja-lil and Ka-lil, Lavaeh, Mazier and baby Harper, and many nephews, nieces, other relative and friends.

 

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