Betty Steele Brittian age 84, went to be with the Lord on October 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A Smyrna native born on June 9th, 1941, Betty dedicated her life to caring for others, both professionally and personally. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Arts in Nursing on September 15, 1978, and went on to serve as a forensic psychiatric nurse at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute (Central State) for an incredible 37 years. She retired at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and service.
She had a deep love for travel, solving crossword puzzles, diving into murder mystery stories, and spending time with her beloved dog, Tiny. Her warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor touched all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, David Ellis Brittain and Clara Sue Jone Brittain, her brothers William Seth Brittain (Peewee), James David Brittain (Big Dave), Paul Ship Brittain, Charles Edward Brittain, her sister Sally Virginia Brittain Walls and her beloved granddaughter Shauna Denae Bales.
She is survived by her devoted children, Charles Daniel Bales (Maria Bales), James Patrick Bales (Annette Bales), Marcus Shannon Bales (Michelle Bales), and Ashley Autumn French-Flaherty (Matthew Flaherty). She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Brittain, David Brittain (Lynna Brittain), Daniel Brittain (Toyna Brittain), John Brittain (Crystal Brittain), Sally Brittain-Jenkins (Chris Jenkins), and Brandi Brittain. Her cherished grandchildren include, Lamont and Jennifer Hall, Nina and Termel Coulier, Joshua Bales, Christopher Bales, Danity and Earl Hall Jr, Shelby and Josh Copper, Todd Bales and Hannah Giles, Kathryn Brittain, Mauricio Galdamez, and Elijha Zane Wallace. Her great-grandchildren, Marcus Jayden Bales, Abigail Autumn Bales, and Morticai Gerldean Wallace — will continue to carry her memory forward.
Visitation with the Brittain family will be at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2:00 until 6:00pm. Funeral services will be at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna 2:00pm Sunday with Ms. Rosemary Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mapleview Cemetery with family serving as pallbearers.
