Betsy Lou Mattingly Seale passed away on July 5, 2012 after a brief illness. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Thomas Jasper Mattingly and Dorothy Doub Mattingly. Betsy spent her early childhood in Cynthiana, KY, and later moved with her family to Knoxville, TN where she went to high school. Even as a young girl she was known for her quick wit, effervescent personality, and kind and gentle spirit. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at the University of Alabama where she majored in English. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. At Alabama, she met her husband John Seale, Jr. Her time at the University laid the foundation for her love of all things “Alabama,” most importantly, Alabama football and Bear Bryant. After college, John and Betsy were married and she went on to do graduate work at Radcliffe College in Boston, and George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Her love of writing and literary pursuits set her off on a career path that was as impressive as it was varied. She started her career as Entertainment Editor at the Montgomery Advertiser-Journal. She went on to become a ninth grade English teacher in Birmingham, AL. A few years later, a job transfer brought John and Betsy to Greensboro, NC, a place they would call home for more than 40 years. Never able to sit idle, Betsy continued her career while raising her five children. In 1978, Betsy and John took over the Hamburger Square Post, a widely-known community newspaper in Greensboro, which Betsy raised and nurtured like one of her own children. Through the years, the Hamburger Square Post became an icon in the Greensboro community.
In addition to publishing the HSP, she was Marketing Director of the State Street Merchants’ Association for several years. She worked in the Division of Continual Learning at UNC-G for more than five years, where she continued to blaze trails and make friends along the way.
Betsy was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lazy Daisies Garden Club, The Wednesday Lecture Club of Greensboro, The Historical Book Club and the Junior League of Greensboro.
Her pride and joy was her family and to them she was everything. She is survived by her husband, John Francis Seale, Jr. and her five children: Kathryn Mattingly Seale Schmidt (John) of Alexandria, VA; Carolyn Chapman Seale Williams (Brad) of Charlotte; John Francis Seale III (Kristin) of Raleigh; Elizabeth (Betsy) Hilton Seale McArthur (Hamish) of Auckland, New Zealand and Joseph Turner Seale (Caroline) of Raleigh.
Her ten grandchildren were her treasures: Turner Henderson (14), Christine Mattingly (12) and Grayson Gettis Schmidt (8); John Preston (11) and Charles Barrett Williams (9); John Francis IV (5) and William Harrison Seale (2), Lucia Claire Seale McArthur (2), Harriet Porcher Seale (5) and Joseph Turner Seale, Jr. (2). The “grands,” as she called them, all loved and adored their “Mimi.” She could often be found sitting on the floor with them playing blocks, reading books or another fun game she had created.
Betsy should be remembered for the wisdom, joy and zest for life that she gave so unconditionally to everyone she met.
A celebration of Betsy’s life will be held Monday, July 9, 2012 at 2:00 at First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church or to the ARDS Foundation, 3330 Dundee Rd., Suite C4, Northbrook, IL 60062
On line condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
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