Betty Phipps

Betty Alexandra Phipps, 94, of Conover, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Brian Center East. Born June 23rd, 1927 she was the daughter of the late Frank Harold and Winifred Alice Rolfe.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Paulette Phipps Houston of Statesville and Paul Phipps (Paige) of Tallahassee, Florida. Betty considered Larry Moore (Anne) of Martinsburg, WV; Joyce Sessions of Yucca Valley, CA and Sylvia Mower of Yucca Valley, CA her children as well. Her five grandchildren include Paula Brawley (Allen) of Statesville; Michele Crews of El Cajon, California; Josel Harrison (Russ) of Celeste, Texas; Danielle Cherry (Darnell) of Santee, California and Jonathan Phipps (Ari) of Japan. Betty’s eleven great-grandchildren include Jake Brawley; Christopher Crews; Katy Pirrello (Joseph); Bradley Theurer (Kelley); Alexander Theurer; Megan Theurer; Kaleigh Harrison; Taeshon Cherry; Jeremiah Cherry; Aleya Cherry; and Evie Phipps. Her three great-great-grandchildren include Noah Theurer; Rosie Theurer and James Belleville.

Betty was born in Hampstead Norris, England. She was the 4th child in a family of 12. In addition to her parents, sisters (Peggy Cotgrove, Patricia Lane, Joy Bishop, Coral White-Wenham and Shirley Martin) and brothers (Peter Rolfe and Terry Rolfe) preceded her in death.

Her brothers and sister left to treasure family memories are John Rolfe (Pam) of Wales, United Kingdom; Doug Rolfe (Angie) of Thatchum Berks, England; David Rolfe of Las Vegas, NV and Janet Attree-Wixom (Ed) of Glensdale, Arizona. Betty has numerous nieces and nephews both abroad and in the United States.

Betty’s formative years were spent in England. She was a war bride in WWII and immigrated to America with her infant daughter in 1946. She was named “Queen for a Day” in 1947 and was crowned by Lucille Ball. She spent the next 50 years in California, then Arizona, and moved to North Carolina in 1999 to live with her daughter. Betty loved children with all her heart. She was a kindergarten teacher as well as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher. Her happiest moment in life is when she became a grandmother and had two little girls to spoil in the same week! Betty spent a lot of time with her grandchildren teaching them to knit, fish, paint, craft, explore Knott’s Berry Farm and enjoy life. She was famous for her cinnamon toast and her cheesecake. Betty was an avid painter and created beautiful oil paintings and china pieces. Betty had a way with flowers, plants and bulbs and created gorgeous flower beds. Betty’s most favorite food group was sugar! She loved it in all forms (except for soft drinks) and she enjoyed it every day and at every meal. Betty also loved animals. She fed birds, squirrels, raccoons and wild burros as well as every dog in the neighborhood. At the young age of 79, she became ‘GG’ (great-grandma) and helped raise a great-grandson and they shared a mutual adoration for each other. Betty was the life of any party and always had kind words, a warm smile and stories to share. She also easily expressed her many quirky sayings like never put a new pair of shoes on a table! Betty never met a stranger and she loved her Lord.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, “Piano Fund”, at Post Office Box 579 in Claremont, North Carolina 28610.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Phipps family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.