Betty Washburn Spore

Betty Washburn Spore died unexpectedly on March 18, 2018 following several recent surgeries and her struggle to regain good health in her 80's.

She was born on August 20, 1935 to Lewis and Lucille Washburn  in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She moved to Middleville as a youth and married Bruce Smith of Hastings shortly after graduating from Middleville High School. She had four children and is survived by  Mark Smith (Denise Blair), Brian Smith (Maggie), Bonnie Cantrell (Bryon) and Katie Hayward (Tony) as well as  by eleven grandchildren Justine Smith, Stuart Smith, Kelly Smith (Steven), Alex Smith (Heather), Craig Smith, Nicole Cantrell, Amber DesGranges (Kyler), Kristen (Connor) Cantrell, Troy Hayward (Shayne), Travis Hayward and Kara Risner (Trenton) and seven great-grandchildren Zakary, Vince, Addison, Amelia, Oliver, Bryce and Tanner. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Washburn (Priscilla) of Naples, Florida and her brother-in-law Jay Kulp who was married to her sister Shirley who passed away in 2007. After raising her pack of kids she worked for the Barry County Health Department for a number of years and after she and Bruce went their separate ways married Tom Jones who died of a heart attack and then  Melvin "Bill" Spore who succumbed to an asbestos related disease after they had forged a happy life together traveling to the Florida Keys and especially camping in Ludington and Scottville. She cherished Bill's daughter Mitzi Lackey (Elvin) and her children Seth and Christy as her own. Once Bill passed, she thought she would never find another mate but after several years  alone met Wes Sensiba and embarked on a late life romance. They resumed the travel she loved so much and spent time with their motor home in Ludington, Florida and Cedar Springs. A zealous shopper, Betty will be remembered for the ability to sniff out a bargain and had a house packed with gifts for family and friends. She loved the water and her happy spots were beaches and lighthouses with a particular fondness for the pier at Ludington where she jumped off the end to celebrate her 80 ^th birthday. She was sassy and stubborn to the end.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday March 24 ^th at Thornapple Valley Church, 2750 S. M-43, Hastings, MI 49058  at 11:00 am.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00am, prior to the Celebration of Life service.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 W. Woodlawn Ave., Hastings,  which provided much needed assistance to her following her surgeries.