Elizabeth "Betty" R. Black

Elizabeth (Betty) R. Black, affectionately known by some as “Boots” passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023 in Wilmington, N.C. at the age of 94.

Betty was born on October 2, 1929 in Winston-Salem, N.C., the daughter of the late Samuel Leroy and Millicent Genevieve Bigelow Ruble. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ellon Brinkley Black as well as her siblings, Amy Ruble Ray, Beverly Ruble Allen and Samuel Leroy Ruble, Jr. In addition, her sister-in-law Frances Black Parrish, her daughter-in-law Ruth Clarke Black and son-in-law John F. Belcher passed before her. 

Betty was most importantly a wife and mother. She guided a loving home in many different N.C. towns as her husband, E.B., moved often with his career. Betty and her family settled in Graham, N.C. for 13 years and Wilmington for her remaining 48 years. For more than 30 years she ensured for her children the best childhood any kid could imagine. She was a welcoming lady and her home was always bustling with neighborhood kids. In her own words, “there were kids coming in the front door as others were heading out the back”. Baking Christmas cookies was a huge tradition in Betty’s family and continues to transcend generations with the same recipes Betty’s mother used. During her years as a homemaker Betty was an ardent seamstress supplying handmade clothing to ladies of her community and uniforms for local cheerleaders; another skill she learned from her mother and has passed on. Embarking on a career outside of the home in 1975 she began working for KMart where she was a constant presence for 20 years while still playing an active role in the lives of all her grandchildren. After retirement she enjoyed quilting at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church sewing quilts for Lutheran Disaster Response. 

Betty is survived by five children; William B. Black (wife Pam) of Creston, N.C., Katherine Black Belcher (late husband John) of Fort Meade, Fla., Robert E. Black (wife Debbie) of Castle Hayne, N.C., Judith Black Evans (husband Jeff) of Hogansville, Ga., Cynthia Black Lewis (husband Steve) of Castle Hayne, N.C. and brother-in-law William Leon Parrish (late wife Frances) of Lakeland, Fla.

In addition Betty leaves behind eleven grandchildren; Robert M. (Butch) Willoughby (Jenn), Robert W. F. Black (Sebastiana), Clifford A. Black (Maria), Duane A. Gianferrara, Miranda J. Evans (Carlos), Jacob S. Belcher (Leann), E. Ashlee Evans, Jason T. Black (Savannah), Matthew B. Belcher (Taylor), Laura A. Black (John), and Stephanie M. Lewis. 

Betty has twelve great-grandchildren; Alice Black, Emily Black, Jayden Bothwell, Gage Marion, Riley Black, Lawson Black, Zoe French, Levi Hay, Penelope Hobbs, Hailey Hobbs, Victor Gonzalez-Evans, Ian Fernandez-Evans and one very special great-great granddaughter; Everleigh Jane Hobbs. 

A funeral service will be held at 4 PM on November 20, 2023 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12 North 6th Street, Wilmington, N.C., conducted by Pastor Jonathan Conrad and Pastor Mark Opgrand. Organ music provided by Bill Remele.

The family will receive friends in the church parlor for a brief visit after the service.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Betty’s name to continue the multitude of ministries that St. Paul’s provides for the Wilmington community.

Share online condolences with the family, here, in the guestbook.