Betty Sue Smith Yates

Betty Sue Smith Yates, 87, of Brinson, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 432 E. Shotwell Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Betty Sue Smith was born June 23, 1937, in Brinson, GA, the daughter of Henry Judson & Bessie Cloud Smith. She was a graduate of Brinson High School and a member of Highway Free Will Baptist Church.

Not much happened Betty Sue didn't know about. She kept the phone lines hot inquiring about what was happening, who was involved, and the timeline of events. She kept a notebook on everyone, known as the Ruby Book, so no details were forgotten, especially regarding the grandchildren she adored. Betty Sue was known for her good ol' southern cooking. There was never a notation in the Ruby Book about leftovers when she served chicken & dressing or one of her famous twelve layer chocolate cakes.

Survivors include her daughter, Rhonda Yates Sanders of Valdosta; her grandchildren, Tiffany & Tony, Brandi & Mark, Trey & Tiffany, Shelby, Freddie & Jamie, Tonya & Matt, Joni, and Tammy & Edgar; her great-grandchildren, Abigail, Kristi, Karen, Bubba, Jessie, Zeke, Eli, Emie, Jackson, Christa, Devin, Danie, Lilly, John Mark, and Justin; her sisters, Ruby Barber, Nell Ingram, and Frances Kelly; and a host of extended family. In addition to her parents, Betty Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harold Yates; her children, Tony Ray Yates & James T. Yates; and her siblings, Annie Donalson, Ruth Brunetti, Henry Smith, Jr., Robert Smith, Ray Smith, Tommy Smith, Pete Smith, and Sara Moore.