Betty Joyce Smith Belaire, 83 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. She was born on Nov.12, 1939 to Remi and Louisiana Richard Smith in Chataignier, La.
Betty grew up on a working farm in Swords, La., and was one of five girls. She graduated from Eunice High School in 1957. After high school, Betty attended Cosmetology School and met the love of her life, Carl Belaire. They married in 1961 and then settled in Lake Charles, La.
Betty was a faithful servant to the Lord and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. She was a loyal employee of St. Patrick’s Hospital for over 33 years and made many life-long friends in the Medical Records Department.
She was an adored “MawMaw” to her grandchildren. She spent countless hours baking, cooking, and sewing to make sure all of her grandchildren never missed a meal and had every sequin in place for dance recitals. MawMaw and PawPaw could always be heard in the crowd cheering their “babies” on. Whether it was dance, cheer, football, basketball, or track, you could always count on her attendance and enthusiasm.
After retirement, Betty was a voracious reader and walked and exercised twice a day. She regularly attended mass, and always had her list ready for her daily prayers and rosary. She was a true prayer warrior.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sister, Carolyn.
Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Craig Belaire (Jackie) of Nederland, Texas, Dwane Belaire (Amber) of Lake Charles, La.; her grandchildren, Amy Stafford (Sam) of Bellaire, Texas, Abby Belaire of Houston, Texas, and Parker Belaire and Sadie Belaire of Lake Charles, La. Also left to cherish her memory are her great-grandchildren, Jude, Jack, and John Stafford (due in June of 2023); along with her sisters, Shirley, Wanna, and Wilda; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until leaving in procession at 12:30 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The St. Louis Catholic Foundation, 1620 Bank Street, Lake Charles, LA, 70601.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.