Betsy Diane Riley Smith was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on November 19, 1945. She went to be with Jesus on March 24, 2024, after a brief illness. The family is rejoicing knowing that she is in the presence of our Lord, praising Him for His grace and mercy in her life.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 4-7 PM at Harrisburg Baptist Church, Tupelo, MS. The memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 11 AM at Harrisburg with Rev. Rob Armstrong and Dr. Mark Howard officiating and reception to follow. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Diane loved Jesus with a commitment that is rare – it is impossible to comprehend the number of lives she impacted and how Heaven is celebrating receiving this beautiful servant of God. She loved her family and faithfully pointed everyone in her path to Christ, demonstrating daily what it looks like to follow Him.

She was an active member at Harrisburg Baptist Church, serving on the church staff and as organist beginning in 1988, retiring in 2005. She returned to play the organ at Harrisburg on an interim basis in the years following, retiring a second time in January of this year. Prior to Harrisburg, she served as minister of music at Parkway Baptist Church in Tupelo, Bissell Baptist Church, and was on the church music staff at First Baptist Church, Saltillo.

Diane was preceded in death by her father, Aubrey Riley and her mother, Elizabeth Riley.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bobby G. Smith; her son Steven Smith of Clinton, MS; daughter Martha Schober (Stefan) of Potomac Falls, VA; daughter Mary Carpenter (Paul) of Oxford, MS; and brother Tanner Riley (Thelma) of Fayetteville, AR; In addition to a host of extended family, she has seven wonderful grandchildren who loved her so much: Aubrey Kate Clark (Ben), Riley Merrell, Max Schober, Nikolas Schober, Annalyn Carpenter, Olivia Carpenter, and Megen Carpenter. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren: Madyson and Emma Waterfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, 150 S. Industrial Rd, Tupelo, MS. 662-841-1517 Gift Information donorperfect.net).

For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.leememorialonline.com.