Bettie Margaret Coyle Smith

Bettie Margaret Coyle Smith, 97, died at her home on Friday, March 4th, surrounded by her family.

Bettie was born on February 13, 1914 in Atchison, Kansas the only child of Frank and Helen (Carrico) Coyle.  She attended high school at St. Mary Academy, Leavenworth, KS and graduated from Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, KS in 1935 with degrees in English and Mathematics.

She married Gerald George “Jerry” Smith on June 17, 1935 in Sacred Heart Church, Atchison, KS.  They made their home in Topeka until 1968 when they moved to Kimberling City, MO for their retirement years.  They returned to Topeka in 1983.

Bettie was preceded in death by her husband on January 7, 2000, her infant son Gerald James Smith on January 29, 1940, her son Gerald “Jerry” Bernard Smith and his wife Pat on February 6, 1999, and two grandsons.

She is survived by her son Frank Smith and his wife Mary, her daughter Bettie Helen Garhart and her husband Gary, all of Topeka; six grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Bettie was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

She will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. where a prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hayden High School and sent in care of  Brennan-Mathena F.H., 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.