February 7, 2025, 90, Goldsboro —

Betty Rose Gwaltney Smith Martin, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 7th at Somerset Court Assisted Living surrounded by her family. Born in Wayne County, she was the daughter of the late Javy Rudolph Gwaltney and Sarah Dean Herring Gwaltney and wife of the late Thomas Carroll Martin. Mrs. Betty was a member of the Dudley Christian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and played the piano for many years. She was formerly active with her late husband in the Wayne County Shrine Club as a Shrinette.

A service to celebrate the long and well lived life of Mrs. Betty Martin will take place on Wednesday, February 12th at 10:00 am in the chapel of Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home with Rev. Blane Smith officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. A private committal service will be held at Wayne Memorial Park.

She is survived by her children, Eugene Smith and wife, Susan Smith, Tracy Ann Smith and husband, Johnny Mac Smith, Christy Lanier and husband, Richard Lanier, Phyllis Aiton and husband, Joe Aiton, Tracey Rose Gregory, preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Gregory, Melissa Garten, Jimmy Martin and his wife, Anita Martin; her siblings, Joyce Hardison, Javy Gwaltney, Jr., Dean Price, Nancy Dunn and Andy Gwaltney; nineteen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Jenny Dexter, Ophelia White, Annie Shields, Tammy Mendes, Jennifer Weddle, Flo Chambers and Kari Garten for the loving care given to Mrs. Betty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Dudley Christian Church, 212 O’Berry Road, Dudley, NC 28333.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be serving the Martin family and online condolences can be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com