Billie Smith

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Chloe Juanita Bell (Hatcher) “Billie” Smith, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother was 91. The family would like to thank the nursing staff at St. Lukes in Carthage, MO and Gentiva Hospice care for their compassion and comfort for Billie.Billie was born to Byron Hatcher and Nelrose (Cravens) Hatcher on August 16,1933. She spent most of her young years in Carthage Missouri, living with her grandparents and Uncle Clunky (Clarence Hodkin, who was like a brother since being close in age) and then later with her Mother.

Billie started writing letters to her neighbor’s brother, who was stationed in Korea. After several months of correspondence, she met and married her pen pal Clyde Smith Jr.

 

Clyde and Billie married on February 3, 1951. On their 1st anniversary they welcomed their first born, and then four more children followed. They raised the family in a house they built in Reeds, MO. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2001. Billie remained in Reeds until a few years after Clyde’s passing in 2001. She temporarily relocated to Eudora, Kansas to be close to her youngest daughter until returning to the Carthage area.

Billie was an amazing cook. Anything she made was the best! Her recipes and her food of course were highly regarded by family, friends, and the community. Friends and neighbor’s kids thought of Billie as a model TV mom and a class act. To the family, she was and always will be “Mother”.

Billie enjoyed gardening and finding new types of plants. There was no such thing as downtime and always something that needed done. She kept busy during the winter sewing, taking care of her kids and the home. Summer was constant cooking, canning, and sometimes getaways to Table Rock Lake with the family.

She was a member of Reeds Baptist Church and continued her Bible study and love of the Lord.

 

Survivors include daughters Kathy Foster (Clarence), Terri Lyn Smith (Kelly), Tracey Straub (Jon), sons Randy Smith, (deceased) Jeffrey Smith (Laura). Her grandchildren are Kristy Barnard (Kevin), Aaron Barnard (Gail), Adam Barnard (Ginger), Sharla Duke (Aaron), Stockton Smith, Laken Straub, Julia Straub; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild due in May.

A celebration of life service and luncheon for Billie will be held at the Reeds Baptist Church, located in Reeds, MO, on Saturday, March 1st at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Jamie LaSalle officiating.

Cremation arrangements are under the personal care of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home is Sarcoxie, MO.