Betty Banks Johnson

January 21, 1924-March 8, 2018

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7(NRSV)

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, Betty Lou Banks Johnson returned home to the Kingdom of God. She was 94. Betty was born on January 21, 1924 in Craven County to parents Rosa Lee Rice and J. E. Banks. She was predeceased by her parents, by her husband Junius Paul Johnson and her siblings Carrol of Florence, SC; George and Tommy of Vanceboro, NC; Erwin, Raleigh, NC; and grandson Travis Busby, Jr. of Monroeville, AL.

Betty moved to New Bern when she married Junius Paul. She had studied to be a nurse but decided instead to pursue another dream – raising a family. Following the birth of her three children, Betty and Junius worked together in their automobile machine business in downtown New Bern.

In 1944, Betty began volunteering in the local Red Cross Chapter Office. In the 1950s, she served as a Gray Lady (a volunteer group sponsored by the Red Cross-now Blue Ladies sponsored by CarolinaEast Health System) and assisted in the local military base’s infirmary. In 1963, she received training and became a nurse’s aide for the Red Cross bloodmobile. She also volunteered teaching others to read and delivering meals to area residents through Meals on Wheels. Betty worked hard to instill in her family the importance of giving to others whether it be through civic, community or church groups. For her volunteer work, she was awarded the Clara Barton Award, an award given to outstanding American Red Cross volunteers and, in 1985, she was presented the Senior Citizen of the Year award by the New Bern Jaycees. For many years, Betty was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star working with Shriners Hospital for Children.

Betty and her husband were two of the 28 Charter Members of West New Bern Presbyterian Church founded in late 1947. Betty was one of the first women to serve as a deacon and elder. She held many leadership positions including acting as moderator, co-moderator, treasurer and secretary for the women of the church. She was an avid Sunday school teacher, a scout leader and a member of a women’s circle. When her passing was announced last Sunday, one of the ladies in the congregation said of Betty she “was always eager and excited to share the love of Christ.”

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM, at Cotten Funeral Home, 2201 Neuse Blvd., New Bern with The Reverend David Fuentes officiating. The service will conclude with burial at Greenleaf Memorial Park, 900 River Rd., New Bern.

She is survived by daughter Peggy and husband Travis Busey of Monroeville, AL; daughter Betsy Jones and son Junius Paul Johnson, Jr. and wife Georgia of New Bern; grandchildren Alisa Bordeaux Westring and husband Chris of Wilmington, NC; Suzanne Bordeaux of Daphne, AL; Kristine Vauter and husband Rick of Wetumpka, AL; Sandra and Frank Reid of Brewton, AL; Jennifer and Tony Shackleford, Charleston, SC; Doug Jones of Charlotte, NC; Junius Paul Johnson III and wife Jennifer and Shane LeGrande Johnson and wife Alison, all of Atlanta, GA; Marion and husband Michael Wooles of Anderson, SC; and Charlotte Hallow of Goldsbord, NC. To her 13 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren, she was known as “Grandma Betty.” She is also survived by siblings Norman Banks and wife Carolyn, Cary, NC; Joe Banks, Hampton, VA; Evon Jones, Marion, NC; Ruth DeCamp, New Bern; Sadie Holton and Marie Powell and husband Walter of Grantsboro, NC; and Vona Baysden, Raleigh, NC. She was a joyful, loving, generous, kind woman of faith who will be missed by all who knew her.

To echo Betty’s ministry, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in memory of Betty to CarolinaEast Auxiliary/Volunteer Services, CarolinaEast Health System, 2000 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28561-2157.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cotten Funeral Home. You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting their website at www.cottenfuneralhome.com