Dec. 22, 1950 – June 30, 2016

CENTREVILLE — Services for Betty Sue Smiley D’Aquilla, 65, of Centreville, who died Thursday, June 30, 2016, will be 3 p.m. today at Centreville Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis Johnsey and the Rev. Fred Day officiating.

Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Woodville under the direction of Newman Funeral Home in Centreville.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the church.

Mrs. D’Aquilla was born Dec. 22, 1950, in Centreville, the daughter of Wilford B. Smiley and Opal Simpson Smiley.

She married Carl Escher D’Aquilla Jr., June 15, 1973. She was baptized at Centreville Baptist Church Aug. 14, 1960.

A quote from her journal says: “I never asked for cancer but here it is. Never did I think it could be a blessing. Now that I am over the shock I have been given a new vision on life. This morning I walked on the beach. The waves were more beautiful than before. The wind in my face and even the smells were more heightened. I didn’t talk with God as much as I usually would do but we had a wonderful non-verbal communication. Lord, it is wonderful to have this close walk with you. It is unknown what tomorrow, next month, or even next year will bring but I intend to live it the fullest and thank God for the wake up call … cancer.”

Betty read about the bumblebee and decided she wanted to use what she read as a symbol for her struggle with cancer: “Bumblebees are not designed to fly. Its body is too heavy for its light wings. Wings that should not be able to keep it in the air. Bumblebees refuse to accept their limitations. It flies in spite of what it has been told it cannot do. It knows its strengths— ” Betty Sue D’Aquilla, June 30, 2016 … I’ll Fly Away.

Mrs. D’Aquilla was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Carl Escher “Trey” D’Aquilla III; and one sister, Gloria Yvonne Stutzman.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Travis D’Aquilla and Michael D’Aquilla; two grandchildren, Mason D’Aquilla and Mary Claire D’Aquilla; one sister, Dianne Boykin; and one brother, Bruce Smiley.

Pallbearers will be Greg Poole, Stanley Poole, Mike Stewart, Bubbe Day, Sammie Welch and John Leake.

Honorary pallbearers will be nephews, Buddy Stutzman, Bobby Stutzman, Brian Stutzman, Kermie Boykin, Kenny Boykin, Joe Smiley and Tony Smiley and friends, Leroy Johnsey and Billy McGregor.