November 5, 1943 – October 28, 2022
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Betty Jean Neville, 78, of Cary, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 28, 2022, following another battle with cancer.
She passed away at her son’s home in Roanoke Rapids, surrounded by loved ones.
Betty was born November 5, 1943, in Littleton and was the oldest daughter of the late Robert Edward and Urtie Boyd Tharrington West.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and high school sweetheart, Whit Nelson Neville, Jr.; one brother, Philip Edward West, and her dear mother-in-law, Viola Bobbitt Liles.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who loved her family fiercely.
Those left to cherish her memory include two sons, Robert Neville and his wife, Treva of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and Nelson Neville of Cary, NC. She will forever be loved and remembered by her grandchildren Jill Neville and Jessica Neville both of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and Jack Neville of Raleigh, NC; sisters Barbara Manning and her husband, Ervin, of Warrenton, NC, Brenda Hudson of Littleton, NC, Mary Lois Spivey and her husband, Earl, of Elm City, NC, brother Kent West and his wife, Carol, of Littleton, NC, one sister-in-law, Catherine Fahey West of Wake Forest, NC and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Betty and Whit were honored with many bonus children including those from the Fahey family, Jeff Combs, and many others. Her work family was so very special to her. She, along with Kelly, Brian, Pricilla, Lynn, Tony, Darrin, and Karen spent many long hours working together creating the most beautiful, one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.
After graduating from Littleton High School, Betty attended Peace College in Raleigh. In her professional life, Betty was an amazingly talented florist, owning two shops throughout the years, one in Littleton, Lou Brown’s Florist, and one in Raleigh, Green Bough Florist, and working at several others. As of recently, she worked many years for Kelly Odom Flowers and Interiors in Raleigh.
She was a member of Littleton Baptist Church and loved the history of Littleton. Since her husband's passing in July, she lived in Roanoke Rapids with her son and his family and enjoyed coming home to Littleton to enjoy Daphne’s Coffee Shop and Blue Jay Bistro. Betty will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
A Celebration of Life was held at Littleton Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022, at 2pm with Pastor Bane Angles officiating.
The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Robert and Treva Neville in Roanoke Rapids.
Contributions can be made in Betty’s memory at the following:
Harrison West Cancer Fund
PO Box 70, Littleton, NC 27870; (252)-586-3414
American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at this link