Betty Jean Gwaltney

Betty Jean Meade Gwaltney, 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 1, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Rudolph Talmadge Meade and Alice Beatrice Phillips Meade. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton “Double Truck” Hambden Gwaltney, Sr. 

She is survived by, two sons, Brian Smith (Stephanie) and David Gwaltney (Jennifer); daughters, Alice Lea Harrington and Wanda Wood (Robert); 19 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kristina Marie Smith White; a sister, Judy Woodard (James) and two brothers, Richard “Tommy” Meade and Timothy “Timmy” Meade; and a nephew, Jamie Woodard.

Mrs. Gwaltney was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and a devote Christian. She worked many years as a welder at Newport Shipbuilding before working for Smithfield Ham and Products as a traveling consultant. While working at Smithfield she met the love of each other’s lives and together they enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time at the beach. She was extremely artistic and especially enjoyed making duck decoys with her husband. She will be missed.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, 2 p.m. at Little’s Funeral Home, Smithfield, with burial to follow in Central Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com