Betty June Pratt, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2026, at the age of 89. A woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and boundless love for her family, Betty June left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Born on September 7, 1936, to Alvin and Gertrude Smelley, Betty June grew up in a close-knit farming family, the middle of five children. Life on the farm shaped in her a hardworking spirit and a deep appreciation for family and community that she carried
throughout her life. She earned a secretarial certificate from Shenandoah College and began her professional life as a bank teller before finding her way to Fort Lee as a civilian employee, where she met the love of her life, Charles Pratt. They married in 1959, and Charlie and Betty June would build a life and family together, first near Betty June’s family before finally settling in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Betty June returned to banking when her daughter Karen started school, and except for a few years away, would continue to thrive and advance in that industry until her retirement. The family planted deep roots at James River Baptist Church, where Betty June was a faithful and active member. She sang soprano in the choir and poured herself into the ministries of the church — never seeking the spotlight, but always present, always engaged, always giving. The family was sent out by the church to plant York River Baptist Church, and after this they attended other area churches before returning to James River Baptist, where Betty June remained a member for the rest of her life. Betty June asked Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of her life as a child, and her faith was the quiet cornerstone of everything she did. It showed not in grand gestures, but in the steady, faithful way she served and loved the people around her.
And love them she did — fiercely and tirelessly. She remembered every birthday, in a family that stretched wide across generations. Always the devoted mother, she drove countless miles for band rehearsals and dance practices. She never missed a performance, a recital, or a football game. To her children and grandchild, she was an unwavering presence — supportive, protective, and always in their corner.
Betty June is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Charles Pratt; her son Bruce Pratt and his wife Khristine; her daughter Karen Plumley and her husband Deno; her granddaughter Naomi Plumley; her sisters Mary Ellen Pratt and husband Mel, and Peggy Lewis; her cousins Catherine Fisher and Jean Hannon; and ten nieces and nephews and their spouses, along with many great-nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends and even former bank customers who knew her warmth firsthand. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Gertrude Smelley, and by her beloved siblings Elva Williams and her husband Earl, and Carleton Smelley and his wife Russell (“Sugar”).
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM at James River Baptist Church, 4931 Centerville Road, Williamsburg, Virginia. Family and friends are warmly invited to pay their respects at an open casket visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at the church. A meal will be shared by all after the service — a fitting tribute to a woman who always made sure everyone was gathered, fed, and loved.
