Gloria Batson Hurst

Gloria Batson Hurst, 97, passed away peacefully on Wednesday 21,2026 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice. She was born on November 20th, 1928, in Sloop Point Hampstead, North Carolina. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Daisy and Paul Batson, brothers Cecil and Leslie Batson, her first husband Byron Simpson, second husband Jack Hurst and stepson Greg Hurst. She was married to each 24 years. She is survived by her beloved only child Angie Simpson-Ferguson (Joe) of Hampstead, NC, her stepdaughter-in-law Mary Hurst of Ga (children Chris and Lindsey), sister-in-law, Mary Griffin of NC, nieces Judy Bishop of NC and Cynthia Johnston of TN. nieces Gloria Martin (Leon) of SC, Kelly Witherspoon (Richard) of NC, nephew Wayne Batson (Denise) of NC, and nieces Sandy, Nancy and Janice. Her special friends David Pruitt, Karen Phillips, Doris Blake, James Welch, Marion Andrews, and Steve Edens. Gloria retired from Rhodes Furniture after 47 years of loyal service, holding several positions including District Manager. But she was the happiest managing the local store in Wilmington, NC. She was a lifelong member of the Eastern Star and member of Hampstead Baptist Church.

After retiring she married Jack Hurst in 1994 where they lived the winters in Roswell, GA, and summers in her favorite home the “Salthouse” on the intracoastal waterway and Virginia Creek. After Jack’s passing in 2019 she moved back to this home where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Gloria loved playing golf which she took up at age 65 where she excelled Gloria style. She loved dog sitting for her fur grand babies, watching boats go by, sitting in the sun while enjoying the salt air. She was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, scratch tickets and especially Wheel of Fortune. Being Valedictorian of her senior class at Topsail High school probably was how she knew the answers so quickly. She was a devout Christian and lived her life putting God first. She touched so many lives in her lifetime whether by her actions, crocheting afghans, scarves, baby blankets, baby hats or simply the way she carried herself. She seemed to think the best of everyone and always respected others. No one will miss her more than her daughter Angie who talked to or saw her every day. A cousin once said Gloria is a true classy Southern Belle and that she was. Special thanks to Kristin Gibbs of Visiting Angels who became a part of our family, Novant Hospital in Scotts Hill, especially the second-floor staff, Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Doctors Blair and Hite.

If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider the Pender County Humane Society.

Streaming of the service will be available at 2 pm on Tuesday at Andrew’s Mortuary in Hampstead using this link: https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/MBDHH5