Betty Lou (Gibbs) Smith Bolding, 79, of State Line Road, Niles, died at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born Oct. 3, 1931 in Edwardsburg to Francis Earl Gibbs and Dessie Lorie Lumbert. She graduated from Edwardsburg High School and received her diploma in 1977.

She retired in 1990 from Michigan Skilled Center, Inc.

She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Niles. She enjoyed game shows on television, especially “Jeopardy.” She loved people, cooking and helping with Feed the Children.

She was first married on Aug. 31, 1949 to Eugene L. Smith in Osceola, Ind. He died Sept. 22, 1988.

She then married Charles H. Bolding on July 13, 1996. He died Oct. 4, 2000.

She was also preceded in death by her sons, Eugene L. Smith, Jr., on July 13, 2001, and Daniel F. Smith, on Aug. 4, 1979; and brothers, Glen. A., Marvin and Alvin Gibbs.

She was survived by her sons, Joseph A. and Randall W. Smith of Niles; daughters, Gwendolyn L. Smith of Battle Creek, Mich., JoAnn C. Smith of Battle Creek, Carolyn J. Smith of Hudson, Fla., Roberta D. Anderson of Battle Creek and Marjorie E. Smith of Berrien Springs; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Gibbs of Union City, Mich. and George and Russell Gibbs of Chicago; and sisters, Romona Myers of Plymouth, Ind., Ruth McNaughton of South Bend, Viola Hansen of Hillsdale, Mich. and Beverly Van Harlingen of Elkhart, Ind.

The family will gather privately at Halbritter Funeral Home with Pastor Brian G. Hedges of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no public visitation.