Ms. Smith lived a life defined by courage, adventure, excellence, and love. Vibrant, vivacious, and spirited, she embraced life with enthusiasm and determination, always choosing her own path and inspiring others to do the same. Her adventurous nature and unwavering belief in what was possible allowed her to leave a lasting impact on every community she touched, from Chattanooga to Washington, D.C., and beyond.
A gifted strategist, leader, and community advocate, Ms. Smith brought excellence to every role she held. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a graduate degree in management from Biscayne College in Miami, now St. Thomas University.
After returning to Chattanooga in 2000, she joined Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises, Inc. as Senior Vice President of Neighborhood Revitalization and Community Relations. In 2002, she was selected as Executive Director of Community Impact of Chattanooga, Inc., where her leadership helped transform seven urban neighborhoods through strategic partnerships and resident empowerment initiatives that strengthened communities and improved quality of life.
Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Smith served in senior leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. Her accomplishments included managing the development of the Maclellan Shelter for Families, creating and managing the Inclusion By Design executive leadership program for the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and establishing Black Professionals at the Hunter for the Hunter Museum of American Art. She also held executive positions with private equity and venture capital firms and served as Assistant Secretary of the District of Columbia.
She was widely respected for her intelligence, vision, strategic thinking, and ability to bring people together to achieve meaningful results.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond her professional life. Ms. Smith held leadership roles with numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the City of Chattanooga General Pension Plan; the Investment Committee of the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund; the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Lillian Colby Foundation, the Hunter Museum of American Art, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, and the Memorial Healthcare System Foundation; the Bessie Smith Cultural Center; the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga; Chattanooga Symphony & Opera; United Way of Greater Chattanooga; the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga; and many others.
Ms. Smith was also a Golden Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and community.
BettyeLynn Smith lived boldly, led purposefully, and loved deeply. She left the world better than she found it, and her legacy of service, resilience, generosity, and devotion to family will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Public viewing will be held on Thursday, August 20 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home located in Chattanooga at 1101 Dodds Avenue. A private Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 305 W. 7th Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.
CHATTANOOGA, TN (August 18, 2026) — BettyeLynn Smith, a distinguished community leader, strategist, and champion of neighborhood revitalization across Chattanooga and beyond, passed away Tuesday, August 11, at the age of 81.
Ms. Smith lived a life defined by courage, adventure, excellence, and love. Vibrant, vivacious, and spirited, she embraced life with enthusiasm and determination, always choosing her own path and inspiring others to do the same. Her adventurous nature and unwavering belief in what was possible allowed her to leave a lasting impact on every community she touched, from Chattanooga to Washington, D.C., and beyond.
A gifted strategist, leader, and community advocate, Ms. Smith brought excellence to every role she held. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a graduate degree in management from Biscayne College in Miami, now St. Thomas University.
After returning to Chattanooga in 2000, she joined Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises, Inc. as Senior Vice President of Neighborhood Revitalization and Community Relations. In 2002, she was selected as Executive Director of Community Impact of Chattanooga, Inc., where her leadership helped transform seven urban neighborhoods through strategic partnerships and resident empowerment initiatives that strengthened communities and improved quality of life.
Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Smith served in senior leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. Her accomplishments included managing the development of the Maclellan Shelter for Families, creating and managing the Inclusion By Design executive leadership program for the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and establishing Black Professionals at the Hunter for the Hunter Museum of American Art. She also held executive positions with private equity and venture capital firms and served as Assistant Secretary of the District of Columbia.
She was widely respected for her intelligence, vision, strategic thinking, and ability to bring people together to achieve meaningful results.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond her professional life. Ms. Smith held leadership roles with numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the City of Chattanooga General Pension Plan; the Investment Committee of the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund; the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Lillian Colby Foundation, the Hunter Museum of American Art, the University of Chattanooga Foundation, and the Memorial Healthcare System Foundation; the Bessie Smith Cultural Center; the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga; Chattanooga Symphony & Opera; United Way of Greater Chattanooga; the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga; and many others.
Ms. Smith was also a Golden Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and community.
BettyeLynn Smith lived boldly, led purposefully, and loved deeply. She left the world better than she found it, and her legacy of service, resilience, generosity, and devotion to family will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Public viewing will be held on Thursday, August 20 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home located in Chattanooga at 1101 Dodds Avenue. A private Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 305 W. 7th Street.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.