Naomi Imogene (Smith) Cozby

Naomi Imogene (Smith) Cozby, better known to everyone as “Betsy” passed away on June 11, 2026, in Elkhart, KS. She was born on November 27, 1929, to Felix Fredrick Smith and Retta Basye in Bristol, Colorado. Betsy was loved by many, and most people would describe her as determined and opinionated. Everyone was “kid” to her.

Betsy married Karl Hendrickson in 1949, and to this union, their daughter Karla Jo was born. After their marriage ended, she married Donald S. Cozby in 1985. From this marriage, she gained 2 stepsons, Kelly & Donald William.

Sewing, homemaking, and helping with Girl Scouts were just a few of her hobbies. Being a member of the Red Hat Society was something Betsy enjoyed. She was an avid collector of mini glass slippers. You could catch her making a trip to Guymon just to go shopping. When she was done in Guymon, she would finish her trip by making her way to Liberal too. A limeade was always part of her excursions. Betsy was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Though she wasn’t a gardener, Betsy was very particular about her yard and would pester her grandchildren about keeping it mowed for her when she was no longer able to do it herself. You could find her feeding any cats that would come her way. She had one cat she allowed inside the house - his name was Put, Put. If you came by her house on any specific night, you would find her watching WWE wrestling or ordering things off the shopping channel. But before stopping by, she would request that you give her a heads-up because she didn’t always get around until late in the evening.

She was a bookkeeper for many businesses around Elkhart and worked for South West Saving & Loan until retiring after 17 1/2 years. She spent her retirement running the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, where she enjoyed helping people find the perfect gifts.

Betsy is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her daughter Karla Jo, and a great-grandson, Colton Collins. She is survived by her grandchildren, Brenda Herron & husband Chad, Dena Collins, Alyssa Wadlington, 2 great-granddaughters, and 4 great-grandsons and one great-great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions can be made payable to the United Methodist Church of Elkhart, Kansas, in the care of Robson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Elkhart, Kansas 67950.

A private burial service will be held. Robson Funeral Home of Elkhart is overseeing the arrangements.