Elizabeth Peterson Smith

Elizabeth Ann Peterson Smith passed away at home on December 26, 2023, following a period of declining health. Beth was born August 29, 1937, in Shelby, North Carolina to Rufus “Pete” and Ethel Noblitt Peterson. She grew up in Shelby and Kings Mountain, before moving to Elizabeth City where she met her husband, Bert, at a soda shop called Hill’s Confectionery. They were married in February of 1957, and moved to Florida where they spent the next 32 years among cherished friends and church communities. Beth was a devoted mother and a well-loved high school English teacher. During these early family years, she also completed her college degree from Barry College.

In 1989 Beth and Bert moved to Spring, Texas and spent 30 years there involved in family and community life. They enjoyed frequent trips to a beach home in Galveston, where they relished the beauty of beach walks and local wildlife. For over ten years, Beth spent every Wednesday morning serving as a speaker with “Between Jobs,” a ministry that provided encouragement and networking for people needing employment. It would be hard to overstate the number of lives impacted by her hopeful outlook. Her book, Every Wednesday Morning, is a compilation of the devotionals she delivered. Beth was a gifted storyteller and owned an extensive collection of unusual puppets with which she delighted preschool students and her grandchildren. Bert and Beth also enjoyed traveling together, including many cruises and wonderful reunions with their extended family.

In 2019, Beth and Bert relocated to Austin to be near family and spent the past several years enjoying closer proximity to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her warmth and kindness to everyone who crossed her path will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Beth was predeceased by her parents and sister, Mary Helen Peterson. In addition to her husband of nearly 67 years, Beth is survived by her children: daughter and son-in-law Brenda and Steve Koinis; son and daughter-in-law Bradford and Cara Smith; and daughter and son-in-law Rebekah and Michael Nanfria; grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tony, Taylor, Madeline, Jake, and Dylan; and great-grandchildren: Nick, Kate, Renee, Jacob, Madeline, and Deacon.

A memorial service is planned for 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 3, at Ledgestone Senior Living: 13150 Four Star Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship of Christians in Universities & Schools – by mailed check (FOCUS, PO Box 1027, New Canaan, CT 06840) or online at infocus.org/donate.