Betty Ann Thomas Love

Betty Ann Thomas Love, 87, died Friday, April 5, 2024, after months of declining health. Betty was born on October 28, 1936, to Henry Chapin and Beatrice Petty Thomas. She spent most of her life in Alamance County before relocating to Cary after the death of her husband, Vernon, in 1999.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Virginia Thomas Hinshaw, and her brother, Jimmy Neal Thomas. She was also predeceased by her husbands William Trollinger Garrison, James Homer Moore, Samuel Dolphin Clayton, and William Vernon Love. She is survived by her daughter, Ginny Merritt, and her husband, Don; her daughter, Ann; and her son, Tom Moore, and his wife, Karan; her two granddaughters, Amy Merritt and her husband, Joe Harrington; and Becca Merritt; and by several nieces and nephews.

Betty worked at a variety of jobs over the years, switchboard operator for Alamance County Hospital, receptionist for Doctors Rippy and Tate, secretary for First Baptist Church Graham, emergency room secretary, dispatcher for the City of Burlington and as choir director at several area churches. She was well-known for her beautiful singing voice and was a frequent soloist.

Though Betty herself never acquired a degree beyond high school (and that degree was completed while caring for two young children), she instilled a love for learning in all three of her children as well as an eye for beauty and a heart for justice and thoughtfulness. Betty knew how to keep a secret- sometimes to her children’s chagrin- and served as a confidante to many.

Widowed with three young children at the age of 28, she was fierce in the face of adversity.

Betty was fortunate to make deep friendships late in her life, both in her neighborhood and at her church. Especially dear friends were members of the Footsteps group at St. Francis UMC.

It has been said that the best way to love God is to love many things, and Betty certainly did. She loved babies, books, animals - especially cats and birds, with dogs a close third - music, poetry, and a good crime or medical show. Betty was a person of great faith, continuing to study the Bible throughout her life. She was happiest with a baby to cuddle or a cat on her lap.

A memorial service for Betty will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 2:00 at St. Francis United Methodist Church, 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. If you would like to make a memorial gift, please consider one of Betty’s favorite charities - the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415; or the Appalachia Service Project, 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601.

Brown Wynne Funeral Home of Cary is honored to serve the Love family.