Betty Shartel Smith

Known throughout Wichita for her outgoing personality, love of life, and untiring acts of kindness, Betty Smith will be immensely missed by all who were blessed to know her.

The cement urn on South Fountain Street, which was donated by Betty and Shelby Smith, was decorated for holidays by Betty, who took on that project joyfully (as she did everything!). From Easter eggs to Fourth of July firecrackers, she wanted to spread that joy to her neighboring College Hill community.

Betty grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Southwest High School.  She then attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, before subsequently graduating from Kansas University in 1949 with a teaching degree.  She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and appeared on the KU Jayhawker magazine.

Betty taught at the Cerebral Palsy School in Kansas City, and later taught Kindergarten and First Grade at private schools in KC.

While in college Betty met Shelby Smith of St Joseph, Missouri, and they were married in 1952.  Shelby’s FBI work moved them to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to South Orange, New Jersey, when he was an agent in New York City.

Six years later, with three young children in tow, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, when Shelby accepted the job as Head of Security for Boeing Aircraft.

Betty became active campaigning for Shelby when he entered the Republican political arena as a Kansas House Representative and later as Lieutenant Governor.  She enjoyed the many travels associated with the positions…to various state conferences and also to Israel.

She loved playing tennis and was also active in many civic and volunteer organizations:  Blessed Sacrament School Board, Girl Scout Leader, VP of the East High PTA, Head of the Women’s Division of the City-Wide American Cancer Society Residential Drive, VP of the Starkey Action Council, member of the Junior League of Wichita, Rush Chairman and VP of the Pi Phi Alum Club, volunteer for the Center of Hope and The Lord’s Diner, and a member of the Catholic Monican Circle.

One of Betty’s (Nana’s) passions was organizing her Family Reunions every summer at a fun destination…spanning over 40 years!  She strongly encouraged other families to do the same as a way of fostering strong family ties.

She is preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth Austin Shartel and Stratton Shartel, brother Howard Austin Shartel, sisters Mary Jane Hickcox, Martha Warden, and Virginia Gardner, son Shelby Kent Smith, and husband Shelby Smith.  She is survived by her four children: Leslee Campbell (Nick), Denver, CO, Liz Jackson, Denver, CO, Shartel “Skip” Smith (Kim), Ridgewood, NJ, and Stratton Smith (Kristi), Boulder, CO.  She has 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

The Lord’s Diner

520 N. Broadway

Wichita, KS 67214

Center of Hope

1100 E. 1st St. N.

Wichita, KS 67214