By Staff
Bettie Jo Cherry Bright of 428 Grassy Fork Road, Elkin, NC and formerly of Route 2 Washington, finished her race after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday May 25, 2010.
Bettie Jo was born in Beaufort County of November 4, 1947 in the Old Ford Community to the late Frank Augustus Cherry and Maggie Jackson Cherry. She attended the Old Ford School and later graduated from Washington High School in 1966. On August 6, 1967, Bettie Jo married Joseph Wayne “Joe” Bright. From their union, two children were born to them, Joseph Wayne “Joey” Bright, Jr. and Amanda Leigh Bright. Additional survivors include her mother in law, Etta B. Bright of “The Magnolias” assisted living facility in Yadkinville, brother in law, Charles Bright of Jonesville, brothers Truman and wife Minnie of Fayetteville, Jack and wife Jean of Washington, Gerald of Virginia and Ronald Eugene and wife Judy of New Bern. A sister, Shirley Whittington, and brother, Willis Cherry, preceded her in death.
As a young adult, Bettie Jo became a Christian and worshipped at the Old Ford Church of Christ. Later, she and her family attended Athens Chapel and Woodard's Pond Churches of Christ where she was active in the Women's Fellowship and the Adult Choir. In Elkin, she was a member of the New Home Church of Christ.
Prior to moving to Elkin in 2006, Bettie Jo was employed by the Mid-East Regional Housing Authority and then in retail sales at Belk's. In Elkin, she worked as a property manager with Partnership Property Management and continued her education in Accounting at Surry Community College. Bettie Jo also acquired a vast knowledge of Diabetes, its effects on children as well as kidney dialysis and became an advocate for all she had an opportunity to assist with disease.
A memorial service is planned for Friday evening at Everett's Church of Christ at 7 p.m. with Dennis Davis officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter at 3137 Braddy Road, Washington after 2 p.m. on Thursday and following the memorial service on Friday at the church. A private graveside service is planned.
Bettie Jo requested that in lieu of flowers to consider making donations to the Roanoke Christian Camp, PO Box 1134, Washington, NC 27889 or the Eastern North Carolina Women's Retreat, ATTN: Lou Stout, 462 Ward Road, Washington, NC 27889.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is honored to serve the Bright family.