Betty Jo McWilliams

Graniteville, SC……. Betty Jo Smathers McWilliams, age 90, entered into rest at her residence on January 24, 2025. 

She was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 9, 1934 and was the daughter of Frank and Ethel Smathers. 

Shortly after graduating high school, she joined the US Navy in 1955, serving for 6 years. She then started her 27-year career working for various Federal agencies, including the US Department of State at the Pentagon as a personnel security specialist, before retiring in 1988 

She had a passion for travel and during her life she visited many foreign countries, to include Egypt, Japan, Germany, Italy, Greece, Austria, Turkey, and Thailand. She also traveled in the US, where she made a number of trips coast to coast. 

In addition to her parents, Betty Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Luke McWilliams, and by ten siblings: Frank Jr., Frances, Barbara, Sara, Dot, Inez, Carol, Jimmy, Don and Linda. 

Survivors include three nieces, Patricia Cheek, Nicole (Stacey) Toole, Ashley (Travis) Bradley, and other relatives and friends. 

The family will receive friends at Rowland-Ford Funeral Home for a memorial gathering on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM. 

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