Elizabeth Carter Neal

Elizabeth “Betty” Carter Neal, 84, of Raleigh, passed away in her home on January 30, 2023. She was born to the late Elizabeth “Tip” Hylton Carter and George Rosser Carter on March 5th, 1938, in Danville, VA.

Betty grew up on the family farm located in the community of Gatewood, NC. Betty attended George Washington High School in Danville, VA. She attended Meredith College and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education. While at Meredith, she met her future husband, Cecil Leon Neal, Jr., of Caroleen, NC. They were married on August 20, 1960.

Betty’s career was spent nurturing young children as both a school teacher and assistant. She worked at schools in Brookston, Indiana; Akron, NY; and in Raleigh (Stough Elementary School). Betty was an active member in the Raleigh community. She was a Raleigh Women’s Club member and a charter member of the Patchwork Garden Club, formed in September 1973. Betty was a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church for over 50 years where she gave generously of her time. She was a deacon, a member of the Celia Middleton Sunday School class, chaperoned youth on mission trips and traveled to Kiev, Ukraine, to volunteer at the Ark mission with “at risk” children.

Betty was known to be a kind, loving and gentle person, which was a reflection of her faith in Jesus Christ. She was a devout Christian and spent time daily seeking to become more Christ-like in all that she did. She was also known to be a “lovely person” and was regarded by many as a true Southern lady.

Betty loved to be around other people and was always “on the go”. Over the last years of her life, as she struggled with dementia, being social became increasingly more difficult. However, there were many people and places that made it possible for her to continue to be social in her community. Thank you to her Sunday School class, her Stough School friends, the folks at Pam’s Farmhouse, friends at Rex Wellness Center, and so many others who continued to spend time socializing with Betty. A special thank you to Dee Liggins for taking such wonderful care of Betty and for taking her places until the last weeks of her life.

Betty is survived by her loving husband of sixty two years, Cecil Leon Neal; her two sons, Stuart Hampton Neal, his wife, Yvonne, of Monroe, NC, and his two children, Hampton and Olivia; Stephen Leon Neal, his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Natalie and Nathan, of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by her two sisters and their husbands, India and Sid Causey of Wilmington, NC, and Carolyn Carter and Lennie Green of Raleigh.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, George Rosser Carter, Jr., and his wife, Linda.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Neal was held on February 4, 2023, at Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh. Burial followed in Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Transitions Life Care, by using the links below, under 'donations'.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Betty, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'add a memory'.

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