Betty Carol Pollitt

Betty Carol Bernard Smalley Pollitt, 78, of Covington, Indiana, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Betty was born on February 5, 1948, to Vernal and Evenlyn Hatch Greer. At four days old, she was lovingly welcomed into the home of Perry and Alberta Ingram Bernard, who adopted and raised her.

She graduated from Danville High School in Danville, Illinois, in 1966. On August 5, 1967, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Smalley, who preceded her in death on February 21, 1978. On March 24, 1979, she married Jack Pollitt, with whom she shared many wonderful years until his passing on July 6, 2020.

Throughout her life, Betty devoted herself to caring for and serving others. She worked for Home Delivered Meals and Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Danville before moving with Jack to Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1994. There, she worked as a cook at Ben Hur Nursing Home and also served children and families through her work at Littleville Day Care and Miss Colleen’s Day Care.

Following her retirement, Betty continued her lifelong commitment to helping others by volunteering with the FISH Clothing Closet, Child Abuse Prevention, and Pam’s Promise Transitional Housing in Crawfordsville. In 2021, she moved to Covington, Indiana.

Betty’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. Raised in a Christian home, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior on April 5, 1955, at the age of seven. From that day forward, her life was a testimony of her love for Christ and her desire to serve Him.

She was an active and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois, from the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s; East Side Baptist Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana, from the mid-1990s until 2019; and Maranatha Baptist Church in Covington, Indiana, from 2019 until her passing.

Betty had a special place in her heart for children and faithfully served in the nursery and children’s ministries of each church she attended. She also delighted in helping organize church fellowships and social gatherings, bringing people together in Christian friendship and fellowship.

Known for her kindness, generosity, compassion, and unwavering spirit of encouragement, Betty had a remarkable gift for making others feel loved and valued. Once you became Betty’s friend, you were her friend for life. She was a faithful witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ, carrying her Bible wherever she went and sharing the love of her Savior not only through her words, but also through her actions. Her life was a beautiful example of Christian love and service.

Family was especially precious to Betty, and she dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, Doug (Jennifer) Smalley, Wayne (Tami) Smalley, and Laurie Cox; nine grandchildren, Brittany Smalley, Breanna Smalley, Brooke Smalley, Leah Smalley, Daniel Smalley, Nicole Cox, Abby Smalley, Jared Smalley, and Drew Sweet; and three great-grandsons, Tai, Kingston, and Xerxes.

She is also survived by five sisters, Joyce (Paul) Dowell, Jaci Cox, Debbie (Michael) Long, Katrina (Shawn) Arringdale, and Janice (Todd) Myers.

In addition to her husbands, Thomas Smalley and Jack Pollitt, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, John Bernard.

Betty will be deeply missed by her family, her church families, and the countless friends whose lives she touched throughout the years. While our hearts are saddened by her passing, we rejoice in the blessed assurance that she is now at home in Heaven with the Savior she loved and faithfully served for so many years.

Her earthly journey has ended, but her testimony of faith, love, kindness, and service will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Maranatha Baptist Church, 1111 Harrison St., Covington, IN 47932, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, with funeral services immediately following officiated by Pastor Kenneth Jones.

Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois. 

Please join Betty’s family in sharing photos, videos, and memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.