Betty Francis Crosby-Smith, age 88, was born on October 24, 1937, in Jamestown, Kentucky, and took her final breath peacefully at home on March 6, 2026, in Maricopa, Arizona, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Betty lived life her way—fully, honestly, and usually with a little sass. She was witty, hilarious, and a proud realist who would tell you exactly how it was, whether you were ready to hear it or not. If you ever got her on the phone, you already knew—you weren’t getting off anytime soon. Lovingly nicknamed “Running Mouth,” Betty could turn a five-minute call into a full afternoon visit.

She had a deep love for family and cherished nothing more than Christmastime, when everyone was together under one roof. Those were her moments—full of laughter, noise, and memories in the making. She also loved to dance until the sun came up (especially to “Shake Your Booty” by KC and the Sunshine Band), take long drives, go for walks, window shop, read her romance novels, and watch her beloved Western movies.

Betty had a restless, adventurous spirit and never stayed in one place too long. From state to state, she built a life rich in stories and experiences. Among her many adventures, she even worked on the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Valdez, Alaska—just one example of her strength and determination.

She was a proud military wife, married to Leroy Dennis (Army) and Jesse Crosby (Air Force), and later to Sammy Smith. She was also a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love showed up in the sweetest ways—like letting her grandchildren sneak marshmallow fluff straight from the jar, always keeping old-time candies and mints on the coffee table, and giving each grandchild a nickname that stuck for life.

To her grandchildren, she was many things—Grandma, Gammy, Sammaws, and “The Gamminator”—but most of all, she was unforgettable.

Betty is survived by her children: Allen Dennis, Cheri McBride (“Cheri berries”), Cynthia “Cindy” Crosby, Shelly Tolbert, and Kevin Crosby. She also leaves behind a large and loving legacy of grandchildren: Rebecca, Willie, Melissa, Tommy, Sausha, Ashley, Melanie (“Mel-A-Drama”), Elyna (“China Doll”), Ronnie (“Short stuff”), Melissa (“Buddha”), Chris, Diana, Dasha, and Taiga; as well as numerous great-grandchildren: Cooper, Sam, Cheyenne, Patrick, Julian, Jeremiah, David, James (“Turdy Bird”), Shantelle, Kaylie, Gavin (“Sweetie pie”), Zoe (“Zo-Dee-Do-Dee”), Henry, Zara, Iceliene (“Hot Pants”), Courtlyn, Stephanie, Lesia, Caige, Gracelyn, Frankie, and Aubrey; and great-great-grandchild Athena.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nervia Brumett and Bluford Wiggington; all six of her siblings, Elmore (Elmo), Armond (Ray), Oatha (Oath), Gene, Charles, and Margie Wiggington; her children Raymond Dennis, Janice Dennis, Kathy Jo Martin, and Jesse Dennis; her great-grandson Florian Jr.; and her great-great-granddaughter Caterina.

Betty leaves behind a legacy of laughter, honesty, resilience, and love. She will be remembered for her strong spirit, her endless stories, her big personality, and the way she made every person feel like family—whether you liked it or not.

In true Betty fashion, she would probably want us all to skip the tears, turn up the music, grab something sweet, and keep on living—loudly, honestly, and together.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved and remembered.

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