Mary Elizabeth "Bettye" Smith was born 9 Jul 1875 in Henry County Tennessee and died 8 Dec 1961 in Calloway County, KY. Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Molissa/Malissa C Newton 1845 TN-1901 TN and Millington "Bud" Smith 1848 TN-1937 TN. The Smith family descends from Millington Smith born circa 1750 in Virginia, American Colonies and earlier based on Millington's birth 1750. The Newtons descend from Edward Newton born 1600 in England and died in Virginia sometime after 1630 when his son Edward Jr was born. Bettye's parents Molissa and Bud are buried at Conyersville Cemetery, Henry Co, TN. Bettye married Sam White on 9 Mar 1898 in Henry Co TN. Sam was born 1873 in Calloway Co, KY and died 1951 Calloway Co KY. The counties of Henry TN and Calloway KY border and the town of Hazel border both counties. Bettye and Sam lived most of their married life on their farm near Hazel in Calloway, KY. They had eight children, one daughter and seven sons. Their children are listed in birth order as follows: their only daughter Lottie 1899 KY-1965 KY married Guy Earl Lash. Bettye and Sam's first son is Macon Millington 1902 KY - 1995 KY was given the name Millington which has been passed down for generations, Macon married Amie L Brandon. Next son Kenton Thomas 1905 KY-1992 KY married Blaine Adams. Kenton was followed by Elwood Everett 1907 KY- 2004 KY who married Lula Marrell Grogen. Son Chomous D born in 1910 died from an accident in 1911. Son Hugh H 1912 KY – 1921 KY married Gertrude E Oliver. The last child born was James Woodrow White 1915 KY – 1992 TN. Woodow's first marriage was to Virginia M Jimerson. After their divorce Woodrow married Lois Flentje. All of Sam and Bettye's children are buried at the Green Plains Cemetery.
Bettye's humorous letters to her sons are still appreciated by her grandchildren and other relatives.