BETTY FREEMAN WILLIAMSON
Died May 13, 2011
Betty Freeman Williamson, a faithful child and servant of God and the soul mate of I.K. Williamson for 53 years, joined her father, Ottis Freeman, and daughter, Louann Williamson Heath, in her heavenly home while at Kitty Askins Hospice Center, after a brief illness, on May 13, 2011.
A celebration of her life will be held at Madison Avenue Baptist Church on Monday, May 16, at 2 in the afternoon with Dr. Bob Fulkerson, Dr. Earl Farthing, and Dr. Talamage Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Highway 70 West.
Betty and I.K. were married at the Wendell United Methodist Church in Wendell on Aug. 2, 1958. In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, Lee Williamson and wife, Mandy, of Greenville; her 96-year-old mother, Mae M. Freeman, of the home; her son-in-law, Thomas Heath Jr., of Goldsboro; her four grandchildren, Michael and Kelly Heath, and Cooper and Ethan Williamson and a very special "like-a-sister" first cousin, Ann Pitt and husband, Wilson, of Fairfield Glade, Tenn.
Betty was an inspiration to all her friends and family. In spite of her visual impairment over the past 20 years, only those who knew her well knew of her handicap. She was a most active member of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, where she served faithfully before her visual impairment, singing in the sanctuary choir, serving as a teacher, Sunday School director, and in many other activities and organizations. Even after the onslaught of her visual impairment, she served as coordinator of the senior adult "Very Special People" group and was still serving as chairman of the Hospitality Committee at the time of her death. Betty was active in Girl Scouts when her daughter was in the scouting program, serving as the local Girl Scout Cookie chairman for one of the drives.
Betty graduated from Corinth Holders High School in 1954 and East Carolina College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education and, subsequently, her Masters Degree in 1961. She began her teaching career at Rosewood High School, transferring after one year to Goldsboro High School where she taught for four years before stopping to raise her two children. She resumed her career, this time as a bookkeeper, at Wayne Auto Salvage after the children reached middle school age. She worked there for more than 20 years.
Betty loved and served the Lord with all her heart, and she loved her family and her legion of friends. She will always be remembered as one who spread joy, love, and a hearty smile wherever she went. She was the epitome of persistence, perseverance and an up-beat attitude in spite of her visual and medical handicaps and the death of her daughter in December, 2010.
The family will receive loved ones and friends at Seymour Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. and at other times at the home, 2602 Lemuel Drive.
Instead of offering flowers, those wishing to remember Betty in a special way may do so by making a contribution to the Madison Avenue Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 1703 East Laurel St., Goldsboro.
The family wishes to offer a very special note of thanks and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and aides who attended their loved one at Wayne Memorial Hospital and to the wonderful, compassionate, and accommodating staff at Kitty Askins Hospice Center where Betty spent the last three days of her life in an atmosphere of total love and dedicated and comforting service.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 15, 2011 10:18 AM