Betty Lou Stierhoff

She was born in Newport News, Virginia, and was the daughter of Marvin Oscar King and Annie Ross Carter, both deceased. Her biological father, Casper Skeeter, and her sister, Anna Belle Skeeter Farinholt, are also deceased. Betty shared 69 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Harold Frederick Stierhoff, who passed away in July 2023.

Betty is survived by her son, Michael; her daughter, Vickie, and husband, John; three grandchildren, Christina, Oliver, and Ryan; one great-granddaughter, Margaret; nieces Amanda and Shannon; and nephew Phil.

Betty grew up with a love of animals, music, and the water. She loved riding her pony, “Silver,” mastered playing the piano, and adored visiting her grandparents, “Bud” and Josie Carter, in Rescue, Virginia, where Bud and her Uncle Imla were oystermen.

After graduating from Warwick High School with exceptional secretarial skills, Betty moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be near her sister. Harold and Betty were married six months after they were introduced by a neighbor.

Betty and Harold moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while Harold attended business school at the University of North Carolina. She worked as a receptionist and secretary for University Architects on campus. She was a true Tar Heel fan until the end, watching any UNC game, for any sport, that she could find on television.

Betty and Harold moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, after his graduation, where she worked for American Cyanamid as a switchboard operator. She devoted her life to the care of her children once they were born, volunteering at their school libraries from elementary school through high school. She was active in local politics in both North Carolina and Virginia and encouraged her children to take their civic duties seriously as voting adults. She managed spotless, loving households in Charlotte, Richmond, and Cary.

Betty and Harold moved to Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, North Carolina, in 2003 to be closer to Michael, Vickie, and their three grandchildren. She became an active Glenaire volunteer, supporting the Library and Yard Sale, and participated on the Dining Committee for more than 20 years.

Betty shared a love of the beach with her sister and children. She collected seashells from North Carolina, Florida, the Bahamas, and Hawaii, and also kept a panda-themed collection that her grandchildren loved to contribute to.

She will be remembered as a wonderful, loving Christian wife and mother. She and Harold were members of Westwood Baptist Church in Cary, where they enjoyed attending Sunday School and supporting Church missions. Betty continued to attend their online services loyally until her death.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Betty’s memory.