Betty Jean Durham Underwood Smith

Betty Jean Durham Underwood Smith, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Bradford Square Nursing Home in Frankfort, Kentucky. She was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, on August 3, 1936, to the late Arval Durham and Emma True Durham. Betty was the owner and operator of Hair Specialty in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and was also retired from Schmalbach-Lubeca. Survivors include two daughters, Leslie Smith and her husband, Chuck, and Tammie Owens and her husband, Ted, two grandchildren, Howard Smith and Thomas Owens, and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Smith, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Underwood; a grandson, Ted Daniel Owens; and siblings, Harry Joseph Durham, Arval Durham, Jr., Elwood Durham, Ray Dean Durham, Clarisel Simpson, Nora Barnes, and Marie Guy. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Betts & West Funeral Home with Pastor DeWayne Brewer officiating. The burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Bearers will be Howard Smith, Thomas Owens, Clyde Allen Durham, Nathan Simpson, Ryan Simpson, and Mark Chandler. Honorary bearers will be Claude B. Simpson, Stanley Wiggs, Jr., Sanford Guy, Bobby Barnes, Jr., and Patrick Burrus. The visitation will be on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Betts & West Funeral Home is honored to serve Betty and her family in their time of need. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com