Birth Date: 10/20/1939
Deceased Date: 12/06/2023
Betty Renfrow Strickland, age 84, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Born October 20, 1939, in Johnston County, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Willie Ennis Renfrow and Sallie Hare Renfrow Whitley. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Strickland, brothers: Ray Renfrow and Rev. Charles Lynwood Renfrow, and her sister, Hilda Renfrow Starling.
Betty is survived by her son, Robin Strickland of Selma; daughters, Teresa Lane and husband Jeff of Selma and Myra Peedin and husband Larry (Bobby) of Selma; her brother, Harold Renfrow and wife Gail of Knightdale; her grandchildren, Morgan Messick and husband Chad of Statesville, Spencer Lane and wife Meredith of Clayton, Hayden Lane of Raleigh, Joshua Peedin, Drake Peedin and Nolan Peedin all of Selma; her great-grandchildren, Paisley Messick, Kane Messick, Hunter Lane and Savannah Lane. Betty had many nieces, nephews, and cousins that she dearly loved and spoke of often. She also was blessed to have a loving caregiver, Terri Myrick, who helped look after her for the last few years.
Following her graduation from Glendale High School in Kenly, NC, she started working at the FWB Children’s Home in Middlesex, then a few years at the NC DMV before moving on to begin her career at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh in the Accounting Department. She retired as the Manager of Accounts Payable after 30 years. Betty was known for her Christian faith and her love of music. She was a member of Palmer Memorial Free Will Baptist Church in Garner for over 50 years and was the music director and choir director for most of the years at Palmer and served the church as treasurer for many years. She spent over 50 years working in the Auxiliary of Palmer Memorial and held many of the offices within the chapter including secretary and many years as the President of the Palmer Auxiliary. Betty was a Lifetime member of the Cape Fear District Women’s Auxiliary and was Secretary of the district chapter for many years. She spent the last several years attending Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Selma when her health allowed. Upon retirement, Betty and David built and managed Strickland Mini Storage. Betty has lived at The Landings of Smithfield since February 2022.
A funeral service will be held Monday, December 11, 2023, at 3:00 at Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church (7438 NC Hwy 96 N, Selma) and visitation with the family will be held at the church prior to the service at 2:00. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The Strickland family would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff and caregivers at The Landings who loved and cared for her for the last 2 years while she lived there.
Arrangements by Parrish Funeral Home, Selma, NC.
