Betty Robertson Gregson

Betty Gregson died peacefully at home on October 3. She was born on August 21, 1923 in Laurinburg, NC to William Neal and Margaret Everington Robertson. Her only sibling, Bill Robertson, predeceased her in 2013.

Our mother was a dynamo. Even at age 91 she participated in early morning water aerobics at the Alexander YMCA, sported around town in her silver Mini Cooper and worked diligently in her townhouse patio garden. Mornings included completing the N&O crossword and the Daily Jumble. She was a voracious reader, her coffee table always stacked with 3 or 4 library books, most often mysteries.

She delighted in teaching kindergarten and first grade for over 35 years and participated in the first Operation Head Start program in Raleigh. She and our dad, Jim Hilker, were charter members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school in the “little red schoolhouse”. Only weeks ago she still was attending the 8:00 Sunday and the 12:15 Wednesday services.

In 1981 Mother married Ray Gregson with whom she enjoyed many adventurous years of travel, boating, and other activities with family and friends. He adored her and she, him.

In addition to being an exceptional example for my brother, Jim Hilker, Jr., and me, Ann Tillery, Mother was a devoted “Granny” to her two lovely and accomplished granddaughters, Shelley Edwards, wife of Blake, the “beekeeper”, and Kristen Nogard, mother of Haley, Riley and Hunter.

Mother was blessed with wonderful friends and was a good one in return. She taught us to care more about people than things, a lesson that has served us well.

She was fortunate to have enjoyed an unusually healthy life (the water aerobics really paid off), never complaining about aches and pains, and rarely about anything else.

She cared about her appearance, and was always coiffed, manicured and pedicured. We both agreed a little vanity can be a good thing!

Our family is very thankful for the caregivers who assisted us during Mom’s last few weeks. We are especially grateful for the support and care provided by her long-time friend, Tammy Broyles, and the love and compassion exhibited by her new friend, Brenda Bridges.

Transitions LifeCare (Hospice of Wake County) provided excellent medical and spiritual support during Mother’s final days. Because she always chose Hospice when making memorial contributions, donations in her name would be especially meaningful.

A memorial service will be held the afternoon of October 8, at 4:00 pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh, after which the family will receive friends.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.