Georg'Ellen F. Forbus Betts

Raleigh - Georg’Ellen Forbus Betts, a resident of Springmoor Retirement Community, passed away peacefully at Rex Hospital on June 6, 2010 at the age of 82. Georgie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 23, 1928, the daughter of Elizabeth Knox Burger and Wiley Davis Forbus M.D. She grew up in Durham, NC, but was a resident of Raleigh for more than 50 years. Georgie touched many lives as a community volunteer and advocate for people in need.

A graduate of Duke University in 1949 with a degree in sociology, Georgie received numerous awards for her volunteer and advocacy work. She was executive director of the Capital Area Voluntary Action Center during the late 1970’s and placed hundreds of volunteers with agencies who needed staff but could not afford to hire full time employees. She was a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and The Women’s Club, served as a Cub Scout den mother and a Girl Scout troop leader. She was a past president of the Auxiliary to the Wake County Medical Society and was a member of the Wake County Mental Health Association. She served on the Raleigh Community Relations Committee at the request of the Mayor and City Council and was responsible for helping to develop higher quality affordable housing in the city. She served as both president and treasurer of Triangle Family Services and was involved with Family Services of America, serving on numerous national committees. She was also on the board of Interact and on the Community Advisory Council at the NC Correctional Center for Women. She served as treasurer of the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types, a national organization headquartered in Raleigh. She was a strong supporter of the Civil Rights movement and Equal Rights for Women and was always outspoken and voiced her opinions when she felt there was injustice or inequality. Her commitment to civil rights is recognized by her inclusion in an exhibit at the Raleigh City Museum.

She loved being a docent at the NC Museum of Art in her later years, and at age 82 she was still actively helping others by collecting clothes for the clothing closet at the Women’s Healing Place of Wake County. Georgie was an advocate for anyone in need and would always go out of her way to help others. She touched many lives with her altruism and compassion. Some of her last words were, “I’ve lived a good life and I’ve done everything I wanted to do.”

Georgie is lovingly remembered by her beloved husband of 61 years, Wilmer Conrad Betts, M.D., and her four loving children, Ellen Clemmer, and her husband, Tom; Bill and his wife, Monta; Wiley and his wife, Robin; and Thomas and his wife, Becky. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: James Hampton Rowe, Elizabeth (Libby) Hooker, Scott Eubanks, Eric Betts, Maitlyn Betts, Rebekah Betts, Sean Betts, Rosemary Betts and Drake Betts as well as many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Adams of Asheboro, NC and Martha Suski of Chesapeake, Va.

The family would like to thank all the many caregivers who helped Mrs. Betts in her final years, with special gratitude and love to Hattie Yvonne Moore who cared for her as one of her own. Georgie loved her dearly. Special appreciation goes to Faye’s Hairstyling for always making her look so pretty for forty years!

A visitation will be held at the graveside at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 11th, immediately followed by services and burial at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to two organizations that were very close to Georgie’s heart. Contributions can be made to The Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types at 1364 Welsh Road G2, North Wales, PA 19454 or to The Women’s Healing Place of Wake County at 1251 Goode St., Raleigh NC 27603-2261.

Georgie’s website and condolences to the family at www.brownwynne.com

Arrangements under the direction of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Raleigh, NC.