James Edward (Jim) Betts, Sr.

James Edward (Jim) Betts, Sr., 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Jim was the youngest son of Earl Betts, Sr. and Miriam Lee Betts of Greensboro, who predeceased him, as did his brother, Earl Betts, Jr. and his granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Betts.

Jim is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 66 years whom he met attending West Market Street UMC and began dating in high school. He is survived by his 4 children: Lee Perry (Mike), Charles Betts (Rachel), Mary Macon Gilliam (Ashley), and Jimbo Betts (Tracy): twelve grandchildren: Clayton Betts (Alicia), Elizabeth G. Jeffries (Dylan), Will Perry (Mariana), Charlie Betts (Mallory), Caroline P. Kaylor (Eric), Kenneth Gilliam (Callie), Macon B. Stockholm (Dennis), Ward Betts (Haven), Rebecca Perry, Anna Grace Betts, Gray Betts (Ali) and Joshua Gilliam and 4 great grandsons: Lawson Gilliam, Liam Jeffries, Cale Betts, and Jack Perry.

Jim attended Irving Park Elementary, Aycock Junior High and Greensboro Senior High (Grimsley). He earned his Eagle Scout in Scout Troop 206 and later earned membership in the Order of the Arrow Honorary Society.

Jim attended N.C. State for 2 years, then transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill where he graduated with an AB in Chemistry. Although his diploma says UNC, everyone knows he was definitely a WolfPacker, heart and soul. Jim began his career working for Gulf Oil in Greensboro, later transferring to Atlanta, GA. He and Betty soon returned home and opened E K Williams Co., a small accounting firm which he ran for 36 years. Upon selling the business, he spent the last few years of his working career in Financial Services, retiring from Merrill Lynch in 2001.

Jim was a faithful and ardent supporter of sports in our area. He was past President of the Greensboro Sports Council and a Founder and past Chairman of the Little 4 High School Basketball Tournament (now Haeco Invitational). Jim served as Chairman of the 1967 GGO (Wyndham Championship) and is a life member of the Greensboro Jaycees which honored him with the Roy Cary Award. He was proud to be a member of the Green Coat Club (Founders Club).

Jim’s influence extended to many other major events and institutions including The Southern Conference Soccer Championship, the ACC Golf Championship, the Bryan Park Golf Commission, and The Central YMCA. Many other organizations have benefited Jim’s leadership, including the Natural Science Center, Gateway Education Center, Greensboro Country Club, Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro and N.C. Grange Mutual Insurance Co. He served with great dedication and conviction as Chairman of the Greensboro City School Board during the initial years of integration and busing. Jim was a great believer in public education and a favorite activity during those years was being a lunch buddy at Washington Elementary School.

Jim was committed to his church and faithfully served on many committees, as an usher and greeter, a delegate to the Western N.C. Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska and as Lay Leader of the congregation.

Jim and Betty enjoyed traveling abroad, their biggest adventure was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia. In addition, Betty also convinced him into going on 2 mission trips to Honduras and Guatemala.

Of all his accomplishments, his proudest was his family. He loved and adored his wife, children and especially his grandchildren. He most likely set a record for attendance at youth, high school and college sports games as all of his grandchildren participated in sports and activities and he hated to miss attending. He could also be found front and center at kid’s performances during family beach trips to Long Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Holden Beach.

We are incredibly grateful for the enduring legacy Jim leaves behind and the countless ways he gave of his time, talent and heart. Throughout his life he demonstrated presence, integrity, character, values and a strong work ethic, serving as a true mentor to his children, his grandchildren and others.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday June 28, 2025, at 11:00 at WMSUMC, 302 West Market St. (The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/wmsumc). A reception will follow in the Gathering Space. There will be a private inurnment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following the reception.

The family would like to thank Barry Davis and Dell Pruitt and his other caregivers who all cared for Jim so faithfully with kindness and respect.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Fund at WMSUMC, 302 W. Market St. 27401, AuthoraCare, 2504 Summit Ave., 27405 or the charity of your choice.