Betsy Bullock Currin

Betsy was born on January 4, 1937, in Oxford, North Carolina, to Estelle Hobgood Bullock and George Edwin Bullock. She attended the public schools of then Oxford City Schools, where in the first grade at C.G. Credle Elementary School she met the love of her life, Benjamin Fleming Currin. Betsy graduated from Oxford High School in 1955, where she was not only homecoming queen but was named “most talented” and “best all around” in her senior yearbook.

Betsy was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and she attended Meredith College on a voice music scholarship. While Betsy was a student at Meredith, Ben and Betsy were married in 1957 at her home in Oxford. After they were married, Betsy attended UNC Chapel Hill with Ben but was unable to graduate due to the birth of their first son, Ben Jr. and then their second son, George. She was a wonderful mother to their two sons.

Several years later, while Ben and Betsy were living in Rocky Mount, Betsy went back to school and earned her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College and her master’s degree in adult education from East Carolina University. She also completed numerous courses in the education doctoral program at N.C. State University.

Betsy was a pioneer in adult education in North Carolina. She was fiercely dedicated to helping people improve their lives through education. She was the first woman to hold the position of Vice President of a community college in North Carolina. In 1987, Betsy received the Distinguished Women of North Carolina Award nomination. In 1994, Betsy received the Outstanding Educator Award from the East Carolina University Council for Teacher Education. Upon her retirement as Vice President of Nash Community College, she was honored with the dedication of the Betsy B. Currin Child Development Center at the college. Betsy had successfully spearheaded the effort to fund construction of this state-of-the art facility, which continues to provide quality early education for children and to serve as a model training program for Nash Community College students and the community.

After Ben and Betsy retired, they relocated to Raleigh to be near their granddaughter, Catherine. Betsy continued to serve others by volunteering for many years at Rex Hospital and for Transitions LifeCare.

Betsy and Ben were privileged to live across North Carolina during their marriage and made lifelong friends along the way. She was a trusted and loyal friend and loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed weekly phone calls and catch ups with her cherished friends until the very end. Betsy was also known for her exquisite penmanship, and her friends and family received countless handwritten notes and cards for every occasion.

She possessed the capacity for great love, especially for Ben, her soulmate and husband of 67 years, whom she now joins in Heaven. Although Betsy possessed great physical beauty, her inner beauty was even greater. She was a woman of great Christian faith, always putting others first and embodying the Christian principle of selfless and sacrificial love.

Betsy is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Benjamin Fleming Currin, her son, Benjamin Fleming Currin, Jr., her father, George Edwin Bullock, and her mother, Estelle Hobgood Bullock.

Betsy is survived by her beloved son, George Bullock Currin, of Asheville, and her granddaughter, Catherine Elizabeth Currin, of Raleigh, whom she loved dearly, in addition to many close family members and friends.

The family will host a graveside service on Monday, May 12th at 12:00 pm at the Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina, 530 Hillsboro St.

The Currin family gives special thanks to Transitions LifeCare for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Betsy B. Currin scholarship at Nash Community College, or to Transitions LifeCare.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.