Betty Cotton Cox Hardee, of Seven Lakes, passed peacefully at FirstHealth Hospice House, in Pinehurst, on Thursday, June 23, 2023, surrounded by her family.
She was born July 10, 1935, at home on Church Street in Morrisville, to the late Richard Hilet and Essie Goodwin Cotton. She was predeceased by her sisters, Dixie Reitano, Celestine Nutt and Dorothy Leffler. She was survived by her husband, Donald Wayne Hardee, until his death Monday, June 26, 2023.
She is survived by her daughters, Carol Allen (Fred), Janet Shepherd; stepdaughters, Yuvonda Hendricks (Don), Angela Brustad (Greg); granddaughters, Laura Scott (Dan), Catherine Allen (Jimmy), Brooke Shepherd, Allison Matthews, Aimee Bray (CR) and Erin Vereen (Todd); six great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members to whom she was close.
Betty was a woman of quick wit, had an infectious laugh and quest for knowledge of current events. She loved her family and was grateful for God’s gift of long life enabling her to experience the joy of her great-grandchildren.
Betty was active for many years in various civic, professional organizations and politics. She was past grand officer in the Order of the Eastern Star, past president of the Halcyon Woman’s Club, and was active in the churches where she lived.
She graduated from Cary High School in 1953, and continued to attain certificates in both human resources and gerontology. Her career began as secretary to W.H. King Drug, Raleigh; secretary to the president of Russell Hosiery Mills, in Star; instrumental in organizing the Pee Dee Council of Government, Region H for Gov. Bob Scott; area aging administrator for Anson, Montgomery, Moore and Richmond counties; assistant sergeant-at-arms of N.C. Legislature; director of Davidson County Department of Senior Services. Betty retired as the first Senior Center specialist for N.C. Dept. of Aging, in Raleigh. In 2000, she received the Order of the Longleaf Pine, granted by Gov. Jim Hunt.
Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church, in Pinehurst, on Saturday, July 1. Interment followed at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Pinehurst, P.O. Box 5941, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.