Betty Davenport

Betty Rae Smith Davenport , 86, of Rexburg, Idaho passed away January 23, 2026 after a valiant fight with long term illnesses. She was in the home that she and her husband built–surrounded by loved ones.

Betty Rae was born on June 26, 1939 to Clyde Anthon and Virginia Juliet Peterson Smith in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Her family resided on part of the family homestead in Ammon, Idaho, on Sunnyside Drive, just west of the Ammon Cemetery. She was the third of what eventually became nine children. Betty Rae loved her family dearly.

While in second grade, Betty Rae became sick with rheumatic fever and was confined to her home for half of the school year. It was during this time that she learned that she had a talent for art. Through this talent, and with her beautiful handwriting, Betty Rae served others for the rest of her life.

While still attending high school, she met Price Elmo Davenport when her older sister went out on a date with his best friend. Betty Rae wrote to Price while he served his mission in Australia. The two were married on August 21, 1958 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had been married and were best friends for 58 years before Price passed away in 2016. Betty Rae and Price were co-owners of El-Gene T.V. and Davenport apartments. They enjoyed both working and traveling together.

Betty Rae was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she served with love and diligence in many organizations of the Church. Her testimony was expressed through her actions and example. Those that she served knew that they were loved. Many will remember the beautiful ward bulletins that she and Price created together.

Betty Rae and Price had 7 children. She is survived by her son David (Melanie) Davenport of Rexburg, her son DelRay (Tamera) Davenport of Saint Anthony, her daughter Danett (Rodney) Chugg of Eagle Mountain, Utah, her son Dirk (Jennet) Davenport of Riverton, Utah, her daughter Dara (Spence) Gardiner, of Malta, Idaho, and her daughter Drenda (Mike) Carlton, of Rexburg, Idaho. Price and Betty have 30 grandchildren and their 22 spouses, and 65 great-grandchildren (one married) with 3 more great-grandchildren on the way. Betty Rae was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Price, her son Dalan, a great-granddaughter (Abrielle Elizabeth Rowley) and two older siblings–Carolyn Smith Grover and Anthon Leon Smith.

Betty Rae was the embodiment of “love” for her family and those who knew her. She had an open heart and an open house. She was an attentive listener and had a talent of helping others feel that they were amongst the most important people in her life. Amazingly, they would be correct in assuming that. She was truly the “wind beneath our wings.”

Our entire family would like to thank Drenda, our sister, and her children for the many sacrifices and all of the loving care they have given our Mother for many years. We would also like to express our appreciation for the staff at Carriage Cove and the Homestead Home Health for their loving attention. We are particularly thankful for the help and friendship of her nurse, Tiffany, and her therapists Tai and Cory. Each has gone the extra mile to help Betty Rae feel more comfortable.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Rexburg East Stake Center (387 South 4th East). The family will receive friends Friday evening, January 30th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Tuesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the stake center prior to services. Interment will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.