Betty Jean Sullivan

On Saturday Jan. 11, 2014 Betty Jean Carpenter Smith Sullivan went to be with Jesus. Born Oct. 29, 1933, the first born of Ray and Ruth High Carpenter of Marshville, N.C., her birthplace was Albemarle N.C. She was an excellent student at Marshville Elementary and Marshville High School. She was a member of The National Honor Society, and The National Beta Club. She was active in many school activities. She was the May Day Queen in 1952, and had been chosen Miss Marshville in the fall of 1951. Her extraordinary beauty has been remembered throughout the years in the Marshville area. She attended the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Va.. She graduated from Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, N.C. in 1977 with a practical nurse degree. She maintained top grades in her nursing class. While working as an LPN she studied to become a RN, taking classes given by the Regents College of the University of New York. Nursing was her passion, and she worked as a nurse from 1978 until 2008. Betty was married in 1952 to Benjamin T. Smith of Polkton, N.C. They had four children, Ronald Steve Smith, of Chatham, Va., Sandra Gail Cassada of Newport News, Va., Susan Jean Sulik of Boise, Idaho, and Sharon Brenda Keyser of Bulverde, Texas. She encouraged and supported Ben’s efforts to become a civil engineer, and he was graduated from N.C. State University in 1958 with high honors. While he was a student at State, Betty was active in The States Mates Club, and was candidate for Miss Wolf Pack in 1957. She also worked as a fashion model for several department stores in Raleigh, while Ben was attending State. In 1970 she was married to Kenneth Sullivan. They had one child, David Ray Sullivan, who resides in Bethlehem, N.C. at his mother’s home. Kenneth passed away Jan. 10, 1985. Betty and David have been able to travel extensively. They studied Spanish at CVCC and have enjoyed vacationing in Mexico many times. Betty enjoyed playing bridge and scrabble. She has lined danced for many years, and since retirement she has enjoyed water aerobics at the YMCA. She has two sisters, Edna Staton of Weddington, N.C. and Doris Stutts, of Orlando, Fla., one brother, Neal Carpenter of Marshville, N.C.. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Carpenter, of Marshville, N.C. She is survived by 11 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Her pet cat, Julianne will probably miss her more than anyone for all the love and attention she gave her. She will be buried in the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Marshville, N.C. near her parents, grandparents, aunts, and brother. A Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 10:00 A. M. at Hickory Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Ernie Richards officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday , January 15, 2014 from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM at Hickory Funeral Home. Condolences may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.