In Memory

Bettina Ruth Ball (Smith) - Class Of 1936

Bettina Ruth Ball (Smith)

Bettina 'Tina' Ball Smith passed away peacefully March 10, 2018, after a gallant battle fighting old age. Love from friends and family surrounded her. Tina was born December 21, 1919, in Los Angeles, the daughter of Walter and Ruth Owen Ball. She married Robert 'Hal' Smith in June 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 Hall was stationed in Hingham, Massachusetts, Earlton, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, along with living in Henderson, Nevada when he was at sea. Hal retired from the US Navy and was a Henderson businessman, Nevada state assemblyman and Nevada state senator. Hal and Tina returned to Henderson permanently after the Korean War in 1954.  They had three children, Victoria (Colin) Holman, Peter (Marilyn Mendive) and Christy (John) Winlow, nine grandchildren, and 25 great- grandchildren. Tina was able to hold and love all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many, she was the one who elicited their first smiles. She loved them all with a passion.

Growing up she was active in Junior Shakespeare, Job's Daughters, and ballet dancing. Tina attended South Pasadena High School 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. She 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. She 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 the Governor. In 1999, Tina was named as Special Mother of Henderson by the then mayor.

Las Vegas Review-Journal, March 2018