Betty Lou Barlow

Betty Lou Barlow passed away on Aug. 22, 2015, at The Springs in Whitefish, Montana.

She was born on Aug. 24, 1929, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Clarence and Helen Owens.

Betty met Earl Smith when she was a secretary at a church. Earl worked at the bank across from the church. Betty and Earl married and had two sons, Gary, who retired as a chiropractor, and Steve, who retired from the City of Whitefish. When the boys were little the family's favorite past time was boating. Gary and Steve loved swimming and water skiing.

When Betty's boys were in middle school she went back to school and got her teaching degree. She taught for 11 years as a home economics teacher in Fresno County in a small town called Teague.

When Earl passed away, Betty moved to Pismo Beach, California. After being there a few years, she got a knock on the door by an old friend. There stood Russell Barlow. From that moment on they were in love. Russell and Betty spent the next five years traveling all over. They went to Europe, all over the United States, and on many cruises. After only five years of marriage Russell passed away. Betty sold her house and moved to Whitefish to be closer to her son Steve.

Betty is survived by her two sons, Gary Smith of Bend, Oregon, and Steve Smith and his wife Cynda of Whitefish; grandchildren, Lisa Ramirez of Fresno, Kelly Smith of Bend, Marissa Smith of Portland, and Troy Smith of Whitefish; great-grandchildren, Andre Smith and Aaron Benavidez, and her stepdaughter Elizabeth Barlow Owens and her loving family of Clovis, California.

The family wanted to thank Helen Brooks and The Springs staff for their loving care of our mother.

No public services are planned.