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Betty Jean Smith Batton, 92, of Bogalusa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.

Betty was born on Oct. 11, 1929, in Bogalusa, to the late Aliwee Fornea Smith and William Henry Smith. She was the first of three daughters growing up in Bogalusa, graduating from Bogalusa High School in 1946. She married her husband of 52 years, James H. Batton, and she began a 20-year life in the U.S. Marine Corps with him. Betty and James had two daughters, Sherryl and Janet, and enjoyed traveling and living the military life. After James retired from the Marines in 1962, they returned to Bogalusa where she worked side by side with him in their business, Batton Auto Sales, for another 20 years.

Betty, a woman of faith, lived a life of devotion to her Lord and Savior. She was a faithful member of Main Street Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for 45 years. Betty was an artist, crafter, musician and poet. She enjoyed crocheting items and giving them away to family and friends. She loved entering her crafts in the Washington Parish Fair and was delighted when she won numerous ribbons for her entries. Betty also served on the YWCA Board and the Literacy Program.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Harvey Batton; her parents, Aliwee Fornea Smith and William H. Smith; her stepfather, Henry Scurlock; her sisters, Kathleen Fonda and Elaine Parker; and her great-grandson, Jesse R. Pounds.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Sherryl (Doug) Holliday and Janet Batton; and her grandchildren, Phil (Julie) Keaton, Caroline (Don) Bankston, Kyle Keaton (Casey Gulsby), Jim (Keri) Burdette, Jennifer Burdette, Jonathan Burdette, Jana (Dennis) Pounds and Brian (Sheryl) Holliday. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family would also like to give a special thanks to her caregiver, Beth Brumfield.

Betty was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with services beginning at 2 p.m. The Rev. Harold Gaddy and the Rev. Darryl Fortenberry will officiate the services. Interment will follow at Old Fornea Cemetery in Varnado. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons.

To view and sign the guestbook, visit online at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.