Betty Hargrove Ross' Obituary
Betty Hargrove Ross passed away December 28,2023 at Spring Arbor of Albemarle. Betty was born September 3,1930 in Blue Mountain, Mississippi to Marjorie and Henry Hargrove. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday January 3, 2023, 1:00PM at Central United Methodist Church in Albemarle with visitation following in the church fellowship hall.
Betty spent her childhood years in Blue Mountain and Baldwyn, Mississippi, and later in Milton, Florida. Her high school years were spent in Chipley, Florida, where her parents lived until their deaths in the 1990’s. She graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, with a Medical Technology Degree. As part of her scholastic requirements, she had to do a one year internship at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that she met her future husband, Joe Ross, who was a medical student at the time. They were married in 1953.
Betty and Joe started a family immediately and Cindy and David were born in Atlanta. They moved to Greenville, SC so Joe could do an extra year of Residency. There they had their third child Debbie in 1957. In 1958 they settled in Albemarle where Beth was born in 1958.
Betty soon involved herself in the community and church, making many friends that became like “family” through the decades. She worked with pre-school children with special needs, and was very invested in getting Greenwood Center started in the 1970’s. She also enjoyed volunteering at a group home for adult men. Mrs. Ross helped build a Habitat for Humanity House and delivered Meals on Wheels for several years to people in Albemarle. She was also a member of Central United Methodist Church.
She was an avid tennis player, playing regularly for decades, and played in the senior Olympics in Raleigh one year. She loved the great outdoors, whether she was doing yardwork or hiking Mount Le Conte, which she did at age 71. Betty was a loyal friend to all who knew her. Her family was her greatest love, and we could not have loved her more.
Betty was survived by three children Cynthia Ross of Albemarle, NC, David Ross ( Kelly ) of Charlotte, NC, and Beth Tilley ( Bill ) of Ramsuer, NC, two grandchildren Courtney Lewis ( Ryan ) of Matthews, NC, Stephen Ross ( Arianna ) of Clover, SC, and step-grandson Ben Tilley ( Sarah ) Cary, NC. Betty also had four great grandchildren and one step great grandson. She was predeceased by her parents Marjorie and Henry Hargrove, husband Dr. Joe Ross, brothers Joe and Corky Hargrove, and daughter Debbie Ross. We would like to thank the staff and care takers at Tillery Compassionate Care and also Spring Arbor of Albemarle for their care of our mother during her time there.
Memorials may be made to Monarch, 350 Pee Dee Avenue, Suite 101, Albemarle, NC 28001.
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