Betty Eakin Stith
January 15, 1926 – April 14, 2023
Betty Eakin Stith, 97, passed away April 14, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born January 15, 1926, in Iola, Kansas to Walter Lowell and Edith May (Robinson) Eakin. Betty was raised in Iola and graduated from Iola High School in 1943. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. and worked at the War Department (WWII). She married Kenneth Eugene “Ken” Stith on September 7, 1946. Betty worked as a secretary for Montgomery County Public Schools and managed the financial operations of Central Brake and Alignment in Silver Spring, which she owned with her husband Ken for twenty-five years. Betty was a spiritual woman and was an active member of Christ Congregational Church in Silver Spring. She was an avid reader and writer of poetry. Family was extremely important to her, and she loved cooking and entertaining for her many friends and large family.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth E. Stith, sister Bessie Stigall and brother Walter Eakin. She is survived by her children Karen V. Bardwell of Chalmette, LA, Kevin L. Stith and wife Linda of Silver Spring, MD, David E. Stith and wife Sarah of Lothian, MD, and Lynn E. Stith-Bennett and husband Bobby of Edgewater, MD. Also surviving are grandchildren, Kenny Bardwell, Kristy Bardwell, Kimberly Stith, Michelle Morton, Laura Armstrong, Brooke Morehouse, Amy Windsor, Troy Bardwell, Tori Salinas, Todd Bardwell, Dana Jackson, Crystal Bennett, Kyle Bennett, and Carrie DiLodovico; and twenty-six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake.
Visitation
Services
Monday, April 24, 2023
1:30 PM
Interment
Contributions
Hospice of the Chesapeake
90 Ritchie Highway
Pasadena, MD 21122
410-987-2003
Condolences
Sort Comments
18 Apr 2023
9:32am
Dear Stith family,
I am so sad for your loss. I feel the loss of such a dear friend as well. Betty was a mentor, a support group partner, and a dear friend and confidant. I have grieved her loss for quite some time, since I have not been able to visit with her. Regrettably, I will not be able to attend her service, since I had replacement knee surgery yesterday, and will be out of commission for several weeks. I have many fond memories of my time spent with Betty, Ken, and with the extended family. I wish I could be with you for the service, but know that I am with you in love and in spirit.
Love,
Sue
City
Silver spring
State
MD
18 Apr 2023
9:34am
Both Ken and Betty were such kind and loving people. I know that their example of love will continue on in their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as those of us who only knew them socially.
City
Reston
State
VA-Virginia
18 Apr 2023
11:29am
I’ve had so many great interactions with both Betty and Ken while growing up in the church. From acting as a sous-chef for Betty [probably just setting the table] at the Retreat House (now Center) to watching Ken work his magic when the Men of the church were serving breakfast down in the social hall, I appreciated them all. And of course we took our cars to the shop, probably more often than my father would have like (I don’t seem to slow down enough for pot-holes and speed-bumps.) Anyway, I’ll miss them, as will many people. Take care, Love, David
City
Silver Spring
State
Maryland
18 Apr 2023
10:04pm
I have so many great memories, both at the Retreat House (not going to call it Center here) and in Silver Spring… May they bring you comfort and a smile…. to borrow from my favorite Sunday morning show (before church of course) – A Life Well Lived! Our sincere sympathy to the entire family…
City
Cary
State
NC
19 Apr 2023
12:16pm
It is hard to find the words for the gift of Betty Stith’s presence in my life and in the life of CCC. She and her husband, Ken, were two of the most joyful and engaging people I knew while at CCC. Betty possessed and modeled a deeply felt spirituality – so often expressed in poetry. Her poems (the retreat house poem!) captured an essence that she knew deeply and lived well. Thank you, Betty. You are remembered with great love.
City
Rockville
State
MD
19 Apr 2023
4:19pm
From the time our family joined CCC in the early 1980s I learned so much from Betty’s spiritual guidance and wisdom. Whether it was on numerous women’s retreats or other groups we were in together, she always was there to listen and mentor and offer loving support. She will be missed.
Susan Gray
City
Silver Spring
State
MD
Sort Comments
Dear Stith family,
I am so sad for your loss. I feel the loss of such a dear friend as well. Betty was a mentor, a support group partner, and a dear friend and confidant. I have grieved her loss for quite some time, since I have not been able to visit with her. Regrettably, I will not be able to attend her service, since I had replacement knee surgery yesterday, and will be out of commission for several weeks. I have many fond memories of my time spent with Betty, Ken, and with the extended family. I wish I could be with you for the service, but know that I am with you in love and in spirit.
Love,
Sue
Both Ken and Betty were such kind and loving people. I know that their example of love will continue on in their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as those of us who only knew them socially.
I’ve had so many great interactions with both Betty and Ken while growing up in the church. From acting as a sous-chef for Betty [probably just setting the table] at the Retreat House (now Center) to watching Ken work his magic when the Men of the church were serving breakfast down in the social hall, I appreciated them all. And of course we took our cars to the shop, probably more often than my father would have like (I don’t seem to slow down enough for pot-holes and speed-bumps.) Anyway, I’ll miss them, as will many people. Take care, Love, David
I have so many great memories, both at the Retreat House (not going to call it Center here) and in Silver Spring… May they bring you comfort and a smile…. to borrow from my favorite Sunday morning show (before church of course) – A Life Well Lived! Our sincere sympathy to the entire family…
It is hard to find the words for the gift of Betty Stith’s presence in my life and in the life of CCC. She and her husband, Ken, were two of the most joyful and engaging people I knew while at CCC. Betty possessed and modeled a deeply felt spirituality – so often expressed in poetry. Her poems (the retreat house poem!) captured an essence that she knew deeply and lived well. Thank you, Betty. You are remembered with great love.
From the time our family joined CCC in the early 1980s I learned so much from Betty’s spiritual guidance and wisdom. Whether it was on numerous women’s retreats or other groups we were in together, she always was there to listen and mentor and offer loving support. She will be missed.
Susan Gray