Elizabeth Hicks McCrary

Elizabeth (Betty Jane) Hicks McCrary, 90, formerly of Raleigh, passed away on January 16, 2017 after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s. She was born July 9, 1926 in Raleigh, the daughter of the late Vonnie Monroe Hicks and the late Jessie Lee Grieg Hicks. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Charles Edmund McCrary II and her brothers, Vonnie Monroe Hicks II and Greig Lee Hicks.

Betty graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and taught school before she married Charlie. As a soldier’s wife, she traveled with him when his assignments permitted, which included Georgia, Virginia, Panama and Okinawa. They maintained a permanent residence in Raleigh throughout their travels. Betty frequently taught on the bases or filled her time as a hospital volunteer and a Cub Scout leader.

She took great joy in being with others and particularly enjoyed her Bridge Clubs, Garden Club and Pilot Club. Her greatest love, besides Charlie, was the volunteer office at Rex Hospital. She was Director of Volunteers for over 20 years until her retirement in 1993, but remained involved afterwards.

She is survived by a son, Charles E. McCrary III and wife Debbie of Charlotte, NC and a daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) McCrary Oswald and husband Rick, of Wichita Falls, TX. She has five grandchildren: Cameron McCrary and wife Mel of Rock Hill, SC; Austin McCrary of Charlotte; Eric Oswald and wife Cindy of Houston, TX; Molly Oswald Berry of Seattle, WA and Carl Oswald of Wichita Falls, TX, two great-grandsons, Cole Oswald, of Houston, TX and Jackson Paul McCrary of Rock Hill, SC. She also leaves a sister in law, Jean Baker of Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you remember her by sending donations to the Rex Healthcare Foundation, 2500 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 325, Raleigh, NC 27607 (919-784-4424) or USO of North Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 91536, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27675-1536 (919-840-3000).

A graveside memorial service for Betty will be held at Hollywood Cemetery, 540 North Broad Street, Gastonia, NC at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, February 4th, 2017 with the Reverend Jane Mitchell officiating.

Arrangements by McEwen Funeral Service, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 (704-544-1412). Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.