Bettie Joanne Doyle of Raleigh passed away peacefully on Sunday morning at Duke-Raleigh Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1936, she was the first of 3 daughters born to Randolph and Pauline Atkins Mattox.
Bettie married Donald Elwood Pedigo of Bluefield, WV in 1953. After his service in the Army, Don became a railroad executive and they lived in several major cities in MD, VA and NC.
Bettie became one of the first women on the Maryland Police Force. Always kind and hard working, “Tess” the dispatcher and assistant to the Captain, overcame the gender bias and earned the respect that the females deserved.
In the next phase of her life, she gave birth to 2 beautiful daughters. Any place the family moved to, the girls became popular and Bettie dedicated her life to their education and success. She got a job at Wilson’s Greenfield Academy to insure their preparation for college.
In spite of stress related illness and divorce, she remained positive and focused. She loved arts and crafts. She was a member of Wilson’s Active Artist Association, where she painted “Wednesday’s Child.” Over the years, she collected Christmas ornaments, recipe books and dolls.
In 1987, while line dancing to country music at the Longbranch, she met her second husband, Grady Doyle. Grady was a Vietnam vet, electronics tech and handyman. Bettie helped him with cemetery surveys, map study, and woodworking. They were members of the Wake County Historical Society and helped to preserved Yates Mill for future generations.
Bettie loved the Mattox family reunions at her dad’s Smith Mountain Lake cottage. For many years she was active in Beta Sigma Phi and Red Hats. These sororities took on many charitable projects. She donated to numerous charities and the Millbrook Baptist Church. Many of her friends were from different cultures, races and religions. She loved books and could pretty much spell and pronounce anything! She was an avid animal lover, and her dogs instantly became family members. We think she made the world a better place.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Sonja and survived by her sister, Lynda of Lynchburg, VA. She is also survived by her 2 amazing daughters, Sheri and Kimberly, 3 granddaughters, 2 great-granddaughters (and a 3rd due in March.) At home, she will be still be loved by her husband, Grady and her dog “Bluebell.”
Visitation will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, Bettie requested donations be made to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.
