Betty Brydge

Betty Jo Brydge (nee Hopson), affectionately known to her family as “Ma” or “Ma Betty Jo”, died Friday, July 10, 2015 at home with her family at her side after a long battle with cancer. Born April 1, 1942 in Spruce Pine, NC she moved to Baltimore, MD at a young age where she met and married her devoted husband of 53 years, Robert L. Brydge “Bobby”.

She is survived by her husband; daughter, Robin R. Lee-Strickland (Bob) and son, Robert Mitchell Brydge “Mitchell” (Aleta). Three grandchildren, David Mark Rose, Jr. (Claudia), Robert Mitchell Brydge, Jr. and Grace Elisabeth Brydge. Two great-grandchildren, Christian Brice Rose and David “Owen”Rose all of New Bern. She leaves behind her brother, Garlin R. Hobson, Sr. Baltimore, MD; sister Geneva Lawrence (Dickie) Bridgeton, NC; sister Brenda Sue Peterson Burnsville, NC; sister Alice Faye Honeycutt (Benny) Burnsville, NC; brother Charles Michael “Mike” Hopson Little Switzerland, NC and brother Stanley Jack “Cotton” Hopson Burnsville, NC. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her father, Mitchell Roosevelt Hopson and her mother Essie Dot Hopson (nee Woody) of Burnsville, NC; sister Gertrude Hopson Wilson Micaville, NC; brother Edgar Hopson Spruce Pine, NC; sister Elva Turpin Valdese, NC; brother Donald Hopson Bakersville, NC and late son-n-law GE Lee, Jr. New Bern, NC.

Betty Jo had no greater love than her family. She was a wonderful cook, avid gardener and had a natural gift for decorating and creating beautiful floral arrangements for any season or occasion for her home, as well as a multitude of others she created for family and friends. Her house on Broad Creek Road was the first you saw as you drove by at Christmas illuminated for all to enjoy and was certainly the talk of the community and then some. Everyone was welcomed in her home to make it theirs while they were with her. Whether family, friends or animals (hers and anyone else’s including some strays) that came along became her pets.

Betty Jo will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her so much.

The family wishes to thank Dr. John Cho and all the staff at New Bern Cancer Care and her special nurse and new friend Lori Kimball of Craven County Hospice. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to:

Craven County Hospice

Craven County Health Department Foundation*

PO Box 12610

New Bern, NC 28561

The family will receive guests at Cotten Funeral Home on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 2-4PM; a memorial service will immediately follow.