On Saturday January 3, 2015 at 8:33am at Wilson Medical Center, Betty Jean Barksdale Smith was called home to be with the Lord. Through much suffering, her time was up on this side. She was born on July 9, 1959 to Joseph C. Barksdale, Sr. and Bernice Murphy, but was adopted by Fletcher and Estelle Barksdale.

She was a resident of Winston-Salem graduating from East Forsyth High School, an employee of Hanes Hosiery (Brand) for a number of years, and she was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Smith; sister, Brenda Murphy; and two brothers, Darryl Murphy and Ronnie Murphy.

She leaves behind to mourn her two daughters, Donyal Tamese Barksdale and Christina Barksdale Crump (Charles); four grandchildren, Devon Barksdale, D'Auvionna Barksdale, Shacora Lindsey, and Javare'a Barksdale; stepmother, Catherine A. Barksdale; aunt, Ester Miller; sisters, Janice Barksdale Harris (Danny), Pamela Barksdale Brown (William), Sylvia Barksdale Thompson (Tyrone), Crystal Hall, Denise Galloway, and Edna Medley; brothers, Neverra James, Joseph C. Barksdale, Jr., Jeffrey A. Barksdale, Donald Wayne Murphy, and Brunson Medley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday, January 9, 2015 at Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Samuel J. Cornelius officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Friday at the Chapel.