Annie Rebecca Betty Wright Lancaster

Annie Rebecca "Betty" Wright Lancaster, 84, passed away on December 16, 2013 surrounded by her loving family and into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Betty was born in Roanoke, Virginia on May 20, 1929 to the late Virginia Estelle Coleman Baker and William Henry Wright.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Claude Dillard "Bill" Lancaster, Jr., daughters, Ginger Lancaster Shields (Rob), Beth Lancaster Caraway (Mark), and Jean Lancaster Stacks, grandchildren, Robert Shields (Nicole), Claude, Ryan and Rachel Shields, James and Dillon Caraway, Claudia, Parker and David Stacks, one great-grandchild, Kate Shields, her sisters, Bobbie Wright Massie, Virginia Wright Northcote, and Tina Wright and her sister in-law, K. Lee Wright. She is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Estelle, Charles Eugene Baker, and William Henry Wright, her son, Claude Dillard Lancaster, III, her brother, Harry B. Wright, and her son in-law, JL Stacks.

Upon graduation from Rocky Mount High School, Betty attended Salem College, Shorter College and National Business College. She worked as a secretary for the East Carolina Railroad prior to starting Bill's and her family. She worked as a Docent at Tryon Palace and held positions of Regent and Chaplain for the Daughters of the American Revolution. In Betty's early 20's, she was a performance trick skier in shows on the Trent River. Betty and Bill enjoyed socializing at the Trent Pines Club in their early years of marriage. For many years, Betty enjoyed playing tennis at New Bern Golf and Country Club, relaxing with friends and family at the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach and at their beach home in Pine Knoll Shores. She loved flowers and working in her yard.

Betty was a member of Garber Methodist Church where she served as a Stephens Minister and tutor in the Kingswood Ministry. She was also an active member in the Joy Circle, Adult and Glory choirs. A Virginian by origin, a North Carolinian in life, Betty will be remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family, always displaying grace, beauty and dignity to those who knew her.

The family would like to thank Craven County Home Health and Hospice, the oncology staff of CarolinaEast Medical Center, the home health workers of Friendly Caregivers, and their dear friend, Carolyn Fulcher.