BETTINA "TINA" SMITH

Bettina Ruth “Tina” Smith passed away peacefully Saturday, March 10, 2018, after a gallant battle fighting old age. Love from friends and family surrounded her. In her last year, she received excellent and loving care at Sunrise Senior Living Community and Seasons Hospice. Tina was born December 21, 1919, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Walter Taylor and Ruth (Owen) Ball. She married Robert Hallock “Hal” Smith (1917-2006) June 1, 1940. They were loving partners on this journey of life. After World War II, they moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where Hal began building homes. During the Korean War, they lived where Hal was stationed in Hingham, Massachusetts, Earlton, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, along with living in Henderson when he was at sea. Hal retired from the U.S. Navy and was a Henderson businessman, Nevada state assemblyman and Nevada state senator. They were honored to have the Hal Smith Elementary School named after Hal. Hal and Tina had three children, Victoria (Colin) Holman, Peter (Marilyn Mendive) and Christy (John) Winlow who gave them nine grandchildren, Danny, Marc, Erin, Derek, Christian, Amanda, Katie, Hal and Whitney, and 25 greatgrandchildren. She was able to hold and love all her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. For many, she was the one who elicited their first smiles. She loved them all with a passion. Tina was proud that her family has lived in Henderson for five generations. Her father accepted an engineering job with Basic Magnesium in 1941. Her mother came in 1943. Many probably remember Ruth Ball’s famous ice cream socials at their home on Nevada Way. Hal and Tina returned to Henderson permanently after the Korean War in 1954. Growing up, she was active in Junior Shakespeare, Job’s Daughters and ballet dancing. Tina attended Southern Pasadena Junior College and the University of California at Los Angeles, where she majored in art, expanding her love of art in many of its forms, museums, music, theater and dance. Hal and Tina traveled to 67 countries during their marriage. Tina was a charter member of the Clark County Museum created in 1974 and served as President from 1985-1987. She was the last living founding member. While working with the Museum, Tina was in charge of the renovation of the Townsite House and also the annual fundraiser, “Yarns of Yesteryear,” using gowns from their vintage collection in fashion shows. Tina was a volunteer of the St. Rose de Lima Hospital Auxiliary, which put on the annual Mardi Gras fundraiser. She helped raise funds to renovate and redecorate the Governor’s mansion in Carson City. She received an award for Outstanding Leadership from Clark County and was named to the Honor Roll of Excellence on Volunteerism by Governor Richard Bryan. In 1999, Tina was named as Special Mother of Henderson by then Mayor, Jim Gibson. Memorial service will be Friday, April 6, at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St. The celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m., with a reception immediately following. Pastor John Bagwell and Pastor Dave Delaria of Giving Life Ministries will officiate the service. Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway will be handling the arrangements. Tina will be buried next to Hal at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Clark County Museum Guild or the Henderson Historical Society, two organizations that were dear to mother’s heart.