Betsy was born on October 16th, 1979, in Arco, Idaho to Edward and Darlene Akin. She was the third child of six for Edward and the first for Darlene. She has four sisters: Marla, Teresa, Christina, and Kendal, and one brother, Joshua. She was a second mom to her younger siblings and played a huge role in their lives.

Betsy lived many places over her lifetime including Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona, but most of her time was spent in Montana. She grew up in Billings, Montana, attending Billings Senior High until moving to Plentywood in 1996. There she met Cory Domier. Together they welcomed 3 children: Katie Anna (1997), Amanda Elizibeth (1999) and Phillip Harris (2000). Although their relationship wasn’t permanent, they remained committed to being the best parents to their children.

In 2003 she met Matthew Prince and together they welcomed Nycole Elaine (2005). They were together for over a decade before they went their separate ways in 2018.

She met the true love of her life, Bryan Smith, later that year. Bryan’s children Brittany (29), Raigan (19), and Trael (12) fell in love with her just as much as he did. They spent the last 5 years building their life together and looking forward to their future.

Betsy seemed to go wherever she was needed. She worked at many places over the years, most notably Cassidy’s, Kum & Go, Can-Am, La Casa, Savage Sunrise Manor, and most recently, Savage Public School. She dedicated her life to helping others and being an incredible mother. She prided herself on working hard - she would give you the shirt off her back. She was kind and helpful. To her, all people mattered. She loved being an Auntie and spoiling her bonus grandbabies. Her favorite place to be was with the people she loved or on the back of Bryan’s motorcycle.

She had strong and unwavering faith. Her goal everyday was to make people smile. She was our safe place, our go to, our ride or die. She was loving, quirky, and she had a heart of gold.

Betsy unexpectedly went to join her parents in Heaven on March 1st, 2023, at her home in Savage, Montana. She left her mark on us all. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her grandparents, and multiple Aunts and Uncles.

She is survived by her lobster, Bryan Smith and his children and grandchildren. Her children Katie, Amanda, Phillip and Nycole. Her siblings Teresa Hardy (Michael), Marla Akin, Christina Akin (Ronnie), Kendal Hernandez (Gavin), Joshua Akin (Lauren), all of her nieces and nephews as well as her bonus sister Joyce Sharpe Buckingham (Steve) and their children.

We will celebrate her life Thursday, March 9th at 6pm at Savage Public School in Savage Montana.

Memorial Contribution