Betty Ann Tillery-Smith

Betty A. Tillery-Smith, departed this earthly life on Monday, July 3, 2023 at home. Born to the late Ada Joseph, Betty was a lifelong resident of Trenton, NJ. Educated in the Trenton Public School System where after graduation she gained employment with Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company then with the State of New Jersey, Trenton Psychiatric Hospital where she retired after 30 plus years of service. At a young age Betty married Arthur J. Tillery Sr., from that union she gained her only biological son Terence A. Tillery Sr., and step children Lenora, Arthur Jr. and MarvaTillery. She later married Early G. Smith Jr. and was graced with a special daughter Trinette Williams.

Betty is predeceased by her mother Ada Joseph, her brother James "Slim" Rogers, her husband Early G. Smith Jr., stepsons Arthur Tillery Jr. and Early Smith III., and stepdaughter Jeanette Delores Smith. She is survived by her brother Louis Joseph of McDonough, GA., her sister Emily Joseph of

Trenton, NJ. Her son Terence A Tillery Sr of Hickory, NC., daughters Lenora Tillery-Daniels (Rick), Trinette Jones (Kevin), Michael J. Smith of Baltimore, MD, Diane Smith of Queens, NY, and Marva Tillery. Her grandchildren Tawanda, Zakiera and Tahiera Hickmond, Terence Tillery Jr. of Hickory, NC, Dionandre Tillery and Lakisha Tillery- Williams (Kenneth), Kevin and Evan Jones, Chaka Warner, Michelle, Kristopher and Ayana Smith, her great - grandchildren Donte Hickmond, Melody and Symphony Ramirez, Zoie Diaz, Elijah and Zyair Murphy, Ky'Shawn and Kennedy Tillery-Williams. Special god daughter's Darlisha Simmons and Asia Quillen, as well as Da' Jha Williams, and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends.

Aside from working, traveling, and sewing Betty loved working in the kitchen at Galilee Baptist Church, and entertaining her grandchidren that she raised Tawanda, Zakiera, Tahiera and Donte. She was a lifelong member of the Galilee Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, was Director of Hospitality and eventually became a Mother of the Church. Betty was known for uplifting others, anyone that crossed paths with Betty was sure get a good meal and anything else that she could give to them to send them on their way. She was known to not have a selfish bone in  her body and opened her heart and home to many. 

Funeral service will be 11am Friday, July 14, 2023 at Galilee Baptist Church, 440 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, Ewing, NJ. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home.

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