Smithfield – Betty Ruth Penny Morton, age 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 22, 2025 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. She was born in Johnston County on April 12, 1934 to the late Ransom Edward Penny and Betty May Stephenson Penny. In addition to her father and mother, she is also preceded in death by her first husband, Barney Lee Johnson and second husband Edward Morton; sisters, Doris Rice, and Patsy Jackson; brother, RE Penny Jr.

The family will receive visitors at Parrish Funeral Home on Friday February 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12 noon. A funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home on Friday at 12 noon. Burial will follow the service in Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield.

She is survived by her children, John, Nora, Mary, Martha, Matthew, Ellen Morton, and Leno Abraham; brother, Dennis Penny Sr.; nephews, Asa Rice III, Ed Penny, Dennis Penny Jr., David Penny, and John Jackson Jr.; niece, Erin Penny.

Betty was a member at Hopewell FWB Church and enjoyed travelling and collecting magnets from everywhere she went. She worked for First Citizens Bank for over 30 years and was a loan officer.

In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.