Betty Wales Silver Howison

Betty Wales Silver Howison, 92, died peacefully Friday, January 8, 2016 at Springmoor Retirement Community in Raleigh, N.C. Born on May 2, 1923, she was the daughter of Duncan Cameron Winston and Charles Paddock Wales of Edenton, N.C. She graduated from St. Mary's School in Raleigh.

She began her professional career with John C. Williams Realty and Building Company in 1957. In 1961 she became the Executive Director for the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (NCAIA), a role she held for 22 years. She was bestowed an Honorary designation by the American Institute of Architects in 1973. Betty was president of the Association Executives of North Carolina in 1968-1969 and served on the Wake County Planning Commission during the initial zoning of the entire county, something that was not popular in the rural areas.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Wake County Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Carolina Country Club, Johnsonian Book Club and several social Clubs.

On December 18, 1943 she married Charles Hinton Silver at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton. Charles died in 1979. She is survived by their three sons, Charles Hinton Silver, Jr. and his wife Dena, Winston Sprague Silver and wife Nancy Wood Foreman, John Wales Silver and wife, Sheila Farless, ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two nieces, three nephews, four great-nephews and three great-nieces. In 1983 she married attorney Robert C. Howison, Jr. who passed away in 2006. They are survived by Bob’s daughter, Lucie H. Miller, her husband Donald of Louisville, KY, and their children. Betty was preceded in death by her brother Charles P. Wales Jr. and nephew Charles P Wales III, and numerous cats, dogs, goats, pigs, and a donkey.

A private interment will be held at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School, Christ Church, or St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. The family wishes to thank the dedicated caregivers of Springmoor, particularly Patricia, Miriam, Theresa and George.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.