Bettye Elaine King

Bettye Elaine King passed away peacefully Friday, November 13, 2015 after an extended illness. She was 86 years old. Bettye was born August 21, 1929, the only daughter of Elizabeth and Thomas Durham in Pasadena, CA. She was baptized as Catholic, but in her later adult years sought peace and solace at non-denominational churches. From her birth in California to her passing in NC, she nourished people around her with her love and joy of living.

As a young girl, Bettye and her family lived in several places, Pasadena, New York, San Francisco, where she graduated from Roosevelt Middle school, her family lived in Pacific Heights and her father worked the thriving shipyards in Hunters Point. She loved “The City” and spent many hours in Golden Gate Park, Fleishhacker Pool, Cliff House, and China Town. Bettye had told stories of the horrors of the military evacuation of her Japanese friends and neighbors while there. She remained friends with many cultures throughout her life, enjoying and learning about Jewish Culture, Philippine, and Japanese as she became an adult and worked as a Psych Nurse at Pacific State Hospital. Rarely did Bettye ever meet a stranger.

In late 1946, Bettye married Spencer Shepphard; thereafter their family began to grow. They welcomed 6 children: Eric, Sharon, Darryl, Randy, Jeannamarie, and Dana. Bettye had two sons that preceded her in death, Eric her eldest in 2013 and Randy her youngest son in 1990. Her late husband, Joseph King, passed away in 1998. Her remaining children, Sharon, Darryl, Dana and Jeannamarie, all remained a constant throughout her life. After graduating from John Muir High School, she went on to become a nurse graduating from Mt. San Antonio College. She worked at Pacific State Hospital for many years.

Spencer and Bettye relocated the family to San Dimas for a short while, then on to their permanent home in Montclair, CA. where they continued to grow and prosper; she and Spencer envisioned ownership of their own rental property, and soon built and maintained 6 duplex apartments on his property in Montclair.

Bettye then went on to work for a small private addiction treatment facility in Pomona, CA. In early 72, she and Spencer separated, but remained friends throughout their lives, and continued to be active in their children’s lives . Bettye went on to be certified by the San Bernardino School District as a Campus Officer, specializing in curbing drug use in the schools.

Bettye also had experienced many firsts: 1st family in the State of California to have home hemodialysis, working to keep their family together by making home life as “normal” and comfortable as possible for their youngest son, Randy, in his treatment for renal failure. Little did she know, renal failure would strike her as well, while she managed with the illness, she also worked diligently to be a model patient and become eligible for a kidney transplant. She met that goal after 5 years of being on dialysis. She received the call that a kidney had become available and she was a match! On Aug 27, 2007, she received a kidney that had been in two prior adults (a brother and sister). She became an incredible advocate for the National Kidney Foundation, working to get out the word to minorities and the renal community.

In early 2011, Bettye retired, enjoying her volunteer activities and living in Sacramento, CA. She was known to many of her friends as mom, aunt, sister mentor, and friend. Jeannamarie, one of Bettye’s daughters relocated to Chapel Hill, NC, and asked if her Bettye would like to join them, it took little coaxing and Bettye in Nov 2012 relocated to the place she now called home. She loved everything about NC, especially the warm weather that “warmed her bones”. She also enjoyed her new church family, cooking, and enjoying new friends,. She had an infectious laugh.

More than anything, Bettye was committed to her family and children. There was never a time, day or night, that you couldn’t reach her for advice or just to listen to her stories about a recipe, laugh about the “Young and the Restless”, or life experiences. She never missed a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or just a call to say “how ya doin”.

All of the grandchildren knew her well: Germaine, Melody, Andre, Michael, Matthew, Charlotte, Chip, Stephen, La Haja, and Esme’. They all have stories about their grandmother- Just ask them! Even her great- grandchildren, Michael, Marcus D ‘Antonio, and Nala all know their Granny.

No viewing or repast, family will have a memorial on November 29th 2pm at Markham Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 3630 Old Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707 (919) 489-1833: Pastor Richard McMillan presiding.