Mrs. Betty Gray Alligood Ross, 82, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2018. She was born in Beaufort County on Aug. 23, 1935, to the late Kathleen Hodges and Lonnie Gray Alligood. She graduated from Washington High School and on Nov. 12, 1950, she married the love of her life and soulmate, the late DeVaughn Harder Ross. She is also predeceased by her sister, Annie Sanders Blankenship.

In 1951, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and owned and operated D.H. Ross Tile Co. Along with her husband, who was a WWII veteran, she was dedicated to various veterans’ organizations. She was a charter member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Unit 48 of Beaufort County and held various office positions and served as State Chaplain of NC. She was also a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 15. She established the Veterans Park as a committee member and decorated and participated in many events that honored the U.S. military. During her childhood, she attended Asbury United Methodist Church and up until the time of her passing, she was a faithful member of the 15th Street Church of God. In her church, she was very active in the Ladies Auxiliary and loved decorating the sanctuary for special occasions and holidays. Betty was a member of the A-Z Doll Club and two Red Hat Societies. When election day was here, she loved to assist at the polls. Her favorite pastime and love was arranging and designing flowers and working in her flower garden. She owned Betty’s House of Flowers in Chocowinity and later worked at Smith’s Food Pride as head Floral Designer. Her testimony to her family and friends was, “Live life to the fullest, love, laugh and above all BEE happy!”

Betty is survived by her daughters and husbands, Deborah Williamson and Ralph, of Elizabeth City, Susan Hudson and Gary, of Hickory, and Patricia “Patti” Mehaffey and Russell, of Raleigh; grandchildren, Chad Williamson, Carol Rawls, Becky Greico, Krystal Jones, Kasey and Shannon Mehaffey; great-grandchildren, Madyson, Mason and Deacon Rawls and Ross Jones; and sisters, Stella Gaskins, of Vanceborom and Barbara Smith, of Washington.

Betty’s funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in the 15th Street Church of God, with Rev. Randy Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2018, in Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to 15th Street Church of God, PO Box 1514, Washington, NC 27889. Post condolences on www.hillsidefunerals.com.