Mrs. Betty Sue Mashburn Tolbert Smith, age 85, of Carrollton, Georgia, peacefully departed this life on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Born in Hawkinsville, Georgia on October 1, 1938, to the late Lawrence Eugene Mashburn, Sr. and Edith Dawson Mashburn. Betty Sue was a shining star from an early age. Growing up in the Pineview Community, she demonstrated academic excellence, graduating as the Valedictorian of Pineview High School. She furthered her education with an undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern and a master's degree in Piano Performance from the University of Georgia.

Betty Sue devoted her career to education and music. She began by teaching at Maple Street Elementary within the Carrollton City School system for six years. In the fall of 1968, she joined the faculty of West Georgia College, now known as the University of West Georgia, where she nurtured the musical talents of countless students until her retirement on July 1, 1998. Her passion for music extended beyond the classroom; she was invited to attend the Lit-Mu Club in 1982, and performed for the club nearly every year since. She served as the pianist at Tabernacle Baptist Church for 38 years and was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church Carrollton and the Lit-Mu Club.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Robyn and Clayton Hicks; stepdaughters, Sidra Smith McWhorter and Maria Smith Moody; stepson, Evan Porter Smith; grandchildren, Christopher Ryan Age, Tiffany Smith, Evan Smith, Cassie Brown, Madison McWhorter Lewis, Savannah McWhorter, Abigail McWhorter, Toby Smith, and Brianna Smith; and six great-grandchildren. Betty Sue also leaves behind her sister, Mary Ann Arnspiger; brother, Lawrence Eugene Mashburn, Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, Howard Penn Tolbert and William Rodger Smith.

The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 5 PM to 7 PM.

A funeral service to celebrate Betty Sue's life will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. David Hughes.

Interment will be in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Unadilla, Georgia on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 1 PM.

Donations may be made to First Baptist Church Carrollton Music Ministry in honor of Betty Sue, 102 Dixie Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30117.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton is entrusted with the arrangements.