May 3, 1947 ~ April 5, 2024 (age 76)
Betty Jane Williamson Shuman passed away at her residence on Friday, April 5, 2024.
She was born on May 3, 1947, in Columbus County to Charles Merlin Williamson and Zelma Mae Thompson Williamson. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jerry Shuman; her oldest daughter, Jerri Lynn Cox of Winterville; a son, Patrick Shuman and his wife Sandra, of Newton; her youngest daughter, Grace Ann Sevier, and her husband, John, of Claremont, and two grandchildren, Johnathan Stewart Sevier (9) and Anna Grace Sevier (7). She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother, Kim Williamson, and son-in-law, Frank Cox.
Betty graduated from Whiteville High School in 1966 and attended Louisburg College from 1967-1968. After returning to Whiteville, she married Jerry Shuman, whom she had met years earlier when he was her school bus driver. They moved to Greenville, NC, where Jerry was attending ECU. They then settled in Catawba County in 1971 due to Jerry’s work. Betty cared for her three children, Lynn, Patrick, and Grace Ann until they were old enough to attend school. She returned full-time to the workforce beginning at Conover School and then Catawba County Mental Health’s ADAP/LifeSkills Program where she developed a passion for teaching severe and profoundly disabled adults. She retired from Catawba County Mental Health in 2011. Betty then took on her greatest joy of caring for her two grandchildren, Johnathan and Anna Grace.
Betty had many hobbies and interests, including being an avid reader, having a love of science-fiction and westerns, quilting, and making specialty cakes for birthdays and weddings. She also had a skilled green thumb, exhibited by her love for flowers and plants. Not to be outdone by her love of all animals. She believed God wanted us to take care of His animals. Dogs, cats, birds, fish, and even wild animals caught in Jerry’s garden were to be cared for. She was an active member of Woodlawn Baptist Church for 52 years. She served the Lord through the church library, outreach, as a Sunday School teacher, and as a choir member. She loved our Lord and showed that in everything she did.
A memorial service and celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, April 9th at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 5-6pm. Burial will follow a graveside service on Wednesday, April 10th, at 3pm at Columbus Memorial Park in Whiteville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church’s Senior Program, P.O. Box 609, Conover, NC 28613 Condolences may be sent to the Shuman family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com
The Shuman family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, 828-465-2111
