Ms. Betty G. Warren-Smith

Obituary Betty Jean Warren-Smith, 80, of Kansas City, Missouri was born February 8, 1942, to the union of Peter Johnson Warren and Rosie Lee Sumrell Gosa in Caruthersville, Missouri. Betty was the eldest of five. Her parents, brother Attorney Freddie Lawrence Warren, sisters Doris Laverne Warren and Carol Warren-Fisher, Aunt Ernestine Smith/Riley, Uncles: Odvie and Auddie L. Gosa, infant daughter Karen LeShawn Smith, Aunt Mary Gosa, Cousins: Reginald Gosa and Jacqueline Gosa-Bass/Jenkins, husband William Everett Smith, Sr., brother-in-law Harvey Louis Washington, former brother-in-law Michael Fisher, and daughter-in-law Lena Buckner-Smith, preceded her in death. Betty received her primary and secondary school educations in the Kansas City, Missouri Public School District attending Wendell Phillips Elementary School and Lincoln High School. After graduating she attended Central Missouri State University until she married. Later, she would attend Penn Valley Community College, Park University and the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She returned to Park some years later while her eldest daughter was attending. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age uniting with Paseo Baptist Church, which remained her church home until the Lord called her home. Betty loved the Lord having morning devotionals each day. She also loved her church and was very active. Alongside her Mother, she was a member of Sunday School Class #5 - Mary Bostic Missionary Circle. She was a part of the Missionary Union, Darkus Circle, New Era District Association as a Junior Matron and enjoyed participating in the annual The Wedding of the Roses. For many years, she helped prepare Western Baptist Bible College for Vacation Bible School. She sang in the church choir and helped plan and cook meals for various functions at Paseo. Betty was united in holy matrimony to William Everett Smith, Sr. in Warrensburg, Missouri, and to this union was born four children - DeLana Jean, William Jr., Sherri Lynn, and Karen LaShawn. Though, a part for several years, she and William remained married for 56-years until his death in January 2017. After marrying, Betty, worked for the United States Postal Service on West Pershing Road. Back when typewriters were a thing, she taught speed typing and shorthand at the Paseo YMCA (U.S. National Register of Historic Places) and Linwood Multi-Purpose Center. In the late 1970s, she began working for Volume Services, Inc., as a Cashier for Arrowhead (GEHA)/Kauffman Stadiums, Kemper Arena (host of the annual American Royal), Municipal Auditorium, Starlight Theater and Bartle Hall. Considered among one of the fastest cashiers, she seldom needed paper/pencil, or a calculator to total orders. Such a skill did not go unnoticed, she was soon promoted to Assistant Manager then Manager of a stand on the Club level of Royals Stadium and eventually made a Supervisor. A no nonsense woman, she did not put up with foolishness from workers or customers living by the one-strike rule. She did not hesitate to call a supervisor or the Office to send workers home who did not work or law enforcement to handle belligerent customers. She had a nearly perfect record of service in her concession stand, reflecting in till earnings per game; due impart to excellent customer service, freshness of product and her no nonsense approach. Volume Services was her second job, but her primary one was with the Kansas City School District. She loved children and believed wholeheartedly in education. She was passionate about academic performance and the general well-being of students. She often provided school supplies, clothing and sometimes food at her expense for those in need. She fought tirelessly for equitability in the District for all children, but most especially for those in the Black community. Next to Education, Math and the Sciences were her forte. Acing biology, chemistry, zoology and general science only to repeat the same in algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. She wanted to be a doctor. She spoke a bit of German and while learning the language she spoke it to her young children. She taught both elementary and secondary education. Teaching at her alma mater Lincoln High School, Southeast Junior, Genesis, and Henry C. Kumpf Elementary. She was the Program Coordinator for the National Coalition Of Title 1/Chapter 1 Parents As Teachers for a number of years before retiring from the District. She traveled nationwide giving talks, workshops, and meetings on the rights of parents/students, going over and above what was necessary to equipped parents on educational policies in the United States. She spoke before select committees in Washington, DC about the Program and the need for continued funding and had the White House on speed dial. Betty was a giver always thinking of others before herself from family to neighbors to total strangers. As part of her Mission, if someone was sick, shut-in, or grieving, she cooked, baked, or purchased a couple days of hot meals or groceries then personally delivery the items adding a few extra dollars in a condolence card. She wanted whomever she helped or encountered to know they mattered, and God loved them. When a neighbor had a landlord tenant issue, she helped navigate her through the process as she did when another continuously received exorbitant water bills, she was not responsible for. When the City neglected to cut and mow overgrown areas in her neighborhood. She helped organize a clean-up of debris to include the area surrounding Wendell Phillips and under the 71 Highway overpass. She kept abreast of the happenings going on in and around the Oakland Heights Housing Complex, where she lived for nearly 30-years. She was involved in various organizations over the years like the Class of 1960, Gray Panthers and was secretary of the Wendell Phillips Homeowners Association. She was an active member until her obligation as caregiver to her Mother took precedents. Betty took care of Miss Rosie for nearly 11-years until her passing in September 2021. There are many more stories of giving, sacrifice and service demonstrated by Betty, a novel could be written. A woman of grace and integrity, she believed in discipline, decorum and doing things right. She came up in an age where things “MUST” be done according to protocol. In rearing her children, it was done in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. She often said, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd be much tougher! Like her Mother, Betty, mastered the art of setting people straight. With a command of the English language, she could speak her mind without using an expletive, where people got the message, and if they did not, "The Look" said it all. Politically astute, she could tell you what was happening here and abroad. And knew law and policies better than most lawyers and politicians. She stressed the importance of voting making sure family, friends and neighbors knew about elections and to be sure to exercise their right to vote. Never missing an election, she cast her final ballot on November 7th. When able, she attended City planning meetings, asking direct and well formulated questions that not only made political leaders and talking heads uncomfortable but left them speechless. A visionary, she looked at all aspects of a matter, effectively articulating points to encourage people to broaden their prospective. It never was her aim to change anyone's mind but to get people to think beyond what was in front of them. She was known to write letters to representatives on the local, state, and national levels and even television networks on the state of our nation. Known as Classy Lady, like her Mother she, stressed the importance of looking and dressing well. She believed as she did, “You must be a lady at all cost,” and how you presented yourself mattered; reflecting in the way you felt about yourself and how you treated others. She enjoyed fine dining, travel, museums, sewing (teaching her husband and children), home decor, entertaining, shopping (she could not resist a sale or the latest gadget) and cooking/baking. She was known far and wide for her delectable dinner rolls. Her musical taste was eclectic. She enjoyed R&B, Pop, a bit of country and Jazz (old/contemporary). She enjoyed attending concerts, musicals, and operas. She planned to see Kenny G and Wynonna Judd with her eldest daughter and grandsons, Jason and Christian. A patron of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, she attended several performances over the years and thoroughly enjoyed The Lion King with her children and grandchildren. She looked forward each year to attending Shakespeare in the Park. In the 1970s, she chaperoned her eldest daughter to her very first concert, The Kool Jazz Festival. She loved decorating for all the holidays. She really shined during the Holiday season decking out the front of her home with different displays every year. One year, a neighbor photographed a Christmas display, using it for his Christmas cards, which read in jest, "Do you know where you live?!" Receiving one, she got the biggest kick out of knowing someone would think enough to use her display for their cards. Betty leaves a legacy of leaning on and trusting God, hugs, kisses, embraces, words of wisdom, and saying “I love you” before ending a call or departing a visit. She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her home-going: sister, Deborah Y. Warren-Washington; children, DeLana J. Smith-Sattarin, William E. Smith, Jr., Sherri L. Smith-Dunlap (Tracy); nieces, Karland Fisher-Landa (Patrick), Miyalina Rose Washington; nephew, Michael Fisher, Jr. Grandchildren: Jason E.A. Smith, Christian D. Smith, Alexandra N., Gabrielle E., Isaac, Nicholas, and Jonathan Dunlap. Grand-nieces: Claire and Lorelai Landa, Briana and Miyalina Rose; grand-nephews: Darrion, Devonte, Damonte, and Lamonte. Great-nieces: MaKylie, Myrackle and Marziah Green; cousin: Geraldine “Geri: Gosa, and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held Monday, November 28, 2022,11am at Paseo Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Betty G. Warren-Smith, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Betty G. Warren-Smith

February 8, 1942 - November 11, 2022