Betty Jo Smallwood Smith Parker

May 21, 1947 – April 29, 2015

 

A much beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Betty Jo Smallwood Smith Parker, of Arlington, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. She was the sixth of seven children born to the late Alfred Smallwood and Josephine Wilson Smallwood on May 21, 1947 in Washington, North Carolina.

In 1966, she was united in marriage to the late Charles Jerry Smith and from this union their daughter, Stefanie Zekeya was born. Betty graduated from P.S. Jones High School in 1967. Betty worked at the National Spinning Mill in Washington, NC and helped many family members acquire jobs there.  In 1971, Betty lived in Washington, DC with her two cousins, Barbara Marshall and Mary Moore where they had a good time. Briefly, Betty and her cousin, Patricia Leggett Ore lived in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and helped Betty’s brother, Arthur with his store.

Returning to Washington, NC with an eye on being an entrepreneur, Betty graduated from Beaufort Community College with a cosmetology license and in 1974 opened Stefanie’s Beauty Salon. With talent, persistence, and continued education at local and national beauty shows, Betty made Stefanie’s a huge success. For many years, she simultaneously managed her father’s businesses including the farm and The Blue Ribbon Inn Nightclub founded in 1943 where she obtained and retained an Alcoholic Beverage Control permit that was one of the oldest permits in North Carolina when it was cancelled.

As a young widowed mother, Betty was a strong proponent of education and wanted her daughter to attend college and become a successful woman. Betty sought out educators and guidance counselors including Velma Roland and Mildred Randolph to learn the education system so that she could guide her daughter. As a testament to Betty’s success and support, Stefanie became Chief Marshall, the Washington High School junior with the highest GPA, an early admission student (skipping twelfth grade) at the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a full scholarship where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a graduate of Washington High School, and a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Master in Business Administration. Betty did not keep what she learned about the education system to herself.  Betty shared her knowledge with family, friends, and clients so they could encourage their children.

In 1988, Betty was united in marriage to the late Elmo Parker of Kinston, NC.  After his death, Betty retired and moved to Baltimore, Maryland to live with her daughter. When her daughter moved, Betty moved with her and lived in Chicago, Illinois, Florissant, Missouri, Charlotte and Raleigh North Carolina, and Arlington, VA. Betty earned her cosmetology instructor license at Dudley Beauty College in Chicago.

She was employed as an instructor for Dudley in Chicago and Charlotte where she taught students including Jonathan Wright who is the stylist for First Lady Michelle Obama and oversaw students styling Senator Carol Moseley–Braun and actress LisaRaye McCoy. Betty was featured in Sophisticated Black Hair Styles and Care Guide.

From her father, Betty learned about entrepeneurship and working with people from different walks in life. From her mother, Betty learned about cooking, presenting, and enjoying food as well as living in a comfortable manner surrounded by beautiful things. Betty loved her family that grew way beyond the Smallwoods, Wilsons, Langleys, and Moores to friends, colleagues, neighbors, and people whom she met at the grocery store or concert.

From her parents, Betty learned about loving, serving, and helping people and continued that legacy throughout her life with her participation with Beebe Chapel CME Church, American Legion, Smallwood Family Reunion from its inception to Kitchen Committee Chairperson, P.E.O. that is devoted to providing scholarships for women, and most recently as Belvedere Community Activities Committee Chairperson for 525 condo owners who live where she resided.

Betty was always positive. Upon being diagnosed with cancer in 1991, she never gave up and went into remission three times. Coming from strong stock, she persevered in what would have made others surrender in defeat. Her doctors and nurses were amazed because she was always positive, responded so well to treatment, and looked great up to the day of her passing.

Betty loved life and lived it to its fullest and wanted success for her family, friends, and people with whom she came into contact. Betty loved to travel including Jamaica, Cayman Islands, St Thomas, St Maarten, St Barts, and most recently Dominican Republic for Christmas 2014. Betty was a talented cook, home decorator, and painter of beautiful watercolors. She participated in several marathons including Marine Corp 10K from 2010 to 2013. Betty enjoyed spending time with her daughter, family and friends going to restaurants, jazz clubs, theater, and sporting events.  She will be missed and remembered as a champion of love, life, and health.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Josephine Smallwood; siblings Delores, Rudolph, Earl, Isaac Williams, Parthenia Smallwood Brown, Arthur; and nephew Darris Brown.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Stefanie Z. Smith of Arlington, Virginia; brothers James H. Smallwood (Georgia) of Washington, North Carolina, Joseph Williams (Della) of Jamesville, North Carolina; one sister Mary Biggs (Clarence) of Williamston, North Carolina; one sister-in-law Annie Bell Williams of Washington; aunts Hannah Leggett, Louise Wilson, Corrine Moore; and a host of nephews, great nephews, nieces, great nieces, cousins and friends. She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends.

Written by Niece, Sheila Brown Hopkins and daughter, Stefanie Zekeya Smith.

Memorials may be made to: Beebe Chapel CME Church, 239 Cherry Run Road. Washington, NC 27889.