A major figure in Evansville politics has died.
Betty Knight Smith served on the Evansville City Council, Vanderburgh County Council, as county clerk, and as county recorder over the course of 33 years.
She died Wednesday at Good Samaritan Nursing Home at the age of 83.
Smith was a Democratic stalwart who retired from the county recorder’s office in 2009.
She was a mentor to many younger Democrats, including former Mayor Frank McDonald the Second and the late county treasurer and mayoral candidate Rick Davis.
McDonald once told the Courier and Press that he felt like an adopted son of Smith’s.
She was a tough politician but Smith is also remembered as a compassionate person who helped many people who were down on their luck.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Betty Knight Smith.