Velma J. "Betsy" Allred

Velma J. "Betsy" Allred, 83, of Helena, Ala., formerly of Swan Lake and Pine Bluff, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. Born in Lake Village to Henry Melvin and Jimmie Velma Brown Smith, she grew up in Arkansas in Lake Village, Little Rock, and Cornerstone, graduating from Altheimer High School where she was her class Beauty Queen. She married Morris Henry Allred in Rison, Ark., Jan. 11, 1952. The couple resided in Swan Lake and Pine Bluff. She moved to Alabama in 2010. She worked at Paul's Shoes in the Pines Mall in Pine Bluff for 18 years. Longtime member of Green Meadows Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, she served as Choir Director, Youth Director, and Sunday School teacher there. Beloved by all, Betsy was a kind and sweet soul. She loved witnessing and singing for the Lord. She has now gone to sing in a much larger choir in Heaven. Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Kay Terry (Lelond) of Rison, Ark., Marsha Lynn Lea (Jeffrey) of Helena, Ala.; brothers, Herman Lee Smith of Cabot, Ark., Jimmie Lauren Smith of White Hall, Ark., John Lee Smith of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Jeffrey Lea, Jr., Jason Lea, Jamie Morris, Amber Saffold; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris; infant son, Steven Morris Allred; and siblings, Wilma Bremmer, John Henry Smith, Annebell Gicante, Clinton Smith, William Smith, and Melvaline Schooley. Services are Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, 1:30 p.m., Ralph Robinson & Son Chapel. Interment follows in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials requested to Green Meadows Baptist Church, 4201 Highway 65 South, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601. Online condolences: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.