Betty Jean Fritts passed away on Friday, April 25, 2022 in Sonoma, California surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Springfield, MO on July 4, 1928, the third of five children to Lee John and Pauline (Thackery) McLean. The family lived on what was then the outskirts of town, where her father owned ponies and farm animals. Shortly after graduating high school, she met Dale Patrick Smith Jr. following his discharge from the Army Air Corps. They married in 1947, and soon after, they moved to Washington, DC where Dale enrolled in Catholic University. They had three children, Terrance Patrick (Ligeia Polidora) Smith, Douglas Lee (Miriam) Smith and Helen "Fif" (Louis Anderson "LA")Green.

After Dale's graduation, the family moved to Alamogordo, NM where Dale pursued his career with Hughes Aircraft. Betty enjoyed life in the small, desert town, raising her young family. In 1963, they moved to Riverside, California, and then returned to Springfield, MO in 1971. The marriage ended after 39 years.

Betty married Lanny Fritts and moved to Manasota Key, FL. After her husband's death in 1997, Betty returned to her beloved hometown of Springfield. She belonged to Hickory Hills Country Club, where she enjoyed playing tennis, and enjoyed participating in the active social life. She also attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

In 2018, Betty moved to Sonoma, California to be near her son Patrick and daughter-in-law, Ligeia. She was a vibrant and popular resident of COJIR Assisted Living community, just two miles from their home. During those years, she made new friends, participated in the many activities offered, most recently walking the runway as the star model in a fashion show. Mostly, she loved joining Patrick and Ligeia dining at area restaurants, savoring a glass of wine on their back patio, spending evenings together over homemade meals, FaceTime calls and welcoming treasured visits from her family – especially her grand and great-grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her brothers Lee John Jr. and Paul Douglas McLean, her children, their spouses, her seven grandchildren who adored her: Jennifer (Rick) Keller, Kevin Smith, Brooke (Chris) Shepherdson, Neva (Ron) DePalma, Tashka (Davis) Alvey, Anderson (Elizabeth) Green, and Kendall (Ryan) Schell, nieces Vicki Burns, Kim McLean Sharp, Toni (Josh) German, and nephew Lee (Cheyenne) McLean lll. Her long life enabled her to meet and enjoy most of her 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Helen Louise Williams and Martha Sue Sturgell.

Betty always maintained her love of family, laughter and the art of conversation. She was known for her remarkable beauty, style, grace and love of travel and adventure. A talented homemaker and hostess, she, like many women of her generation, took her deepest pride in the accomplishments of her loved ones.

Along with our sadness at her passing is our gratitude and appreciation for her long and richly lived life. We hope that our love will help her on her journey to heaven, a place that she earned and believed in deeply.

Betty will be laid to rest on Wednesday, May 11 at a private family burial service at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, MO.

Betty's family would like to offer our deepest thanks to her caregivers and friends at COJIR and the angels in waiting at Petaluma Hospice. As we mourn, it is so easy to forget the attentiveness and kindness that softens life's sunset. The family welcomes gifts to the Hospice of your choice as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers.