Mary Harrell Thomason Reed, 91, known to all as “ Grandma Betty”, joined many family & friends & her Savior on Monday, February 8, 2021. Born in Durham, NC, she was the daughter of Mae Garrett and Garland Childress, step-daughter to Jack Garrett, and sister to Bobbi Brummitt and Patti Dewitt.
Betty was a graduate of Durham High School. She spent her entire career in the insurance industry, obtaining her LCIW and retiring from Collier Cobb & Associates in 1991. She served three terms as president of the Durham Association of Insurance Women, one term as president of the North Carolina Association of Insurance Women, and was Insurance Woman of the Year in 1967 and 1987.
Betty had an adventuresome spirit and loved to travel and explore and try new things. She took several cruises with family and friends including Alaska and the Baltic Sea. She explored castles in Switzerland, pushed her walker through the Alps, explored Pompeii, rode motorcycles, and enjoyed touring England, France, and Germany. At 80 years of age she went sky diving, and at 85 went to a high school reunion and came back engaged! Nothing stopped Betty from living her life. When she was no longer able to walk, she did not complain. Instead she did the “ twist” from her wheelchair, played games and always won, and traveled the halls of her nursing home passing out gifts, smiles and treats.
Betty had a giving heart and spent her entire life helping others. As a young girl she served in the Civil Air Patrol, and in her early married life she fostered children from a local orphanage over the holidays along with her husband EuGene Harrell Sr. She served in church choirs and taught Sunday School for over 40 years. She served in soup kitchens, senior centers and nursing homes. She was a financial supporter of Samaritan’s Purse, St.Jude’s Hospital and Wounded Warrior.
Betty was a kind and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She is survived by 5 children: EuGene Harrell, Dewey Harrell, Jeff Harrell, Sherry May, and David Thomason. She is also survived by her daughters in-law Orleandra Harrell, Mary Kay Harrell, Pam Thomason, her son-in-law Victor May, and several nieces and nephews.
Betty was blessed with over a quiver full of grandchildren: Chanel and Chavez Harrell, Byron Harrell ( Anne Maitre), Nicole Reynolds, Marissa Griffin, Nick and Meghan Harrell, Chelsea Alberty ( Brian Alberty), Steven, John, and Kate May, Shanna (d), and Crystal Thomason. She was even more richly blessed with 12 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Newburgh Healthcare and Kindred Hospice for their devoted care.
Betty will be most remembered for her adorable sense of humor, kind spirit and forgiving heart. Heaven is a little brighter with her shining in it, earth is a little dimmer now that she is gone.
“…And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. Psalm 23:6
Susan Haymaker says
Betty was a wonderful lady and an even better friend. I have been blessed to have known her for only a few years but her memory is something that I will cherish forever. I’m sure she is playing Rummikub right now with some of her family and friends, and winning too!
Susan H
Sherry May says
Thank you Susan. You were a loving friend to Mom, and a wonderful friend to me! You always kept Mom in pretty robes and warm hoodies! I hope she is playing Rummicube with her friends in heaven. ❤️
Nancy Duke says
Praying for comfort for all. So many fond memories of Betty will live on.
Sherry May says
Thank you Nancy. Hopefully Papa Ray is throwing a BBQ party for Jesus and all their friends! ❤️
Olga Elvia Hudson says
Only in my life a short time, but it was a lifetime of motherly love. Love you much.
Sherry May says
Elvia, you know she loved you like a daughter. I will always be thankful to you for literally saving mom’s life. You were a lifeline to her while she lived in Myrtle Beach. ❤️
Gail Kelly says
In God’s Loving Arms, you now have everlasting life and eternal peace. Rest gently old friend.
Sherry May says
Thank you Gail. She sure did have many years of joy working in the insurance business and cherished all her “ insurance buddies”. 😀
Betty Pounders says
She was a dear friend and we spent many happy times together. We took a memorable cruise to Mexico with husbands Jay and Curt. I will remember her most for her great sense of humor and positive attitude.
Sherry May says
Thank you. I will always be grateful for you guys introducing Mom to Papa Jay who was a loving father and grandfather. Mom had so much fun with you. ❤️
Lisa Girratono says
So sorry Sherry you have been a wonderful daughter and care giver. I have many wonderful memories of Aunt Betty’s visits to Missouri. Of course the one that was always talked about was we changed our wedding date so she could come. Then she got sick with her gallbladder. So she was on the operating table instead of at our wedding. Lol I thought she was the best person ever!!!!!! Much love!
Sherry May says
Thank you Lisa. She was a truly joyful person. But seriously, was gallbladder surgery her excuse for skipping your wedding?😜 She adored her family and was truly the light of our lives.❤️
Marcia Morton says
I will be forever thankful for my encounter with Mrs. Betty,she was kind and sweet and her smile often made my day.It was such a joy to service her.Loving Betty eternally!!A touch and accent that will never be forgotten.
Sherry May says
Thank you Marcia. She just loved visiting with you. You always took care of her like she was your own mother. She identified Christ in you early on… your sweet spirit was a joy to not only her, but anyone blessed to know you.❤️
Christina janes says
Betty was such a loving and caring friend. She will be very missed by me and my husband! I loved her dearly! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Betty u will be missed!!❤️
Sherry May says
Thank you. You guys were a godsend to Mom. What a blessing that you lived next door. It warmed my heart that you two hit it off. I miss her phone calls from Myrtle Beach telling me all the news about Tina and her husband and what wonderful neighbors and friends you were.❤️