Betty Pfaff Settlemyre

     Betty Pfaff Settlemyre, 94, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully at the Village of Brookwood in Burlington, NC on September 23, 2023 with dearest friend, Billy Swain, by her side.

    Betty was born in Winston-Salem on July 18, 1929 to James Winfred and Elvin Jeannette Pfaff and was the wife of 62 years to the late Rev. John William Settlemyre. Betty attended Reynolds High School, and received a Bachelor of Music with a Major in Voice from Salem College in 1951.

    Betty served as the Regional Coordinator for Special Manpower Programs for the State of North Carolina. She had a lifelong appreciation and love for music and enjoyed teaching private voice lessons. Betty served as the Director of Music for a number of churches — the last being Union Ridge United Church of Christ. The church recognized Betty for her faithfulness and talent by naming the choir room in her honor.

    She was named Woman of the Year by “Church Women United” and honored by the Alamance County ARC for services for the intellectually-challenged adults of the community while directing the Celebration Singers, a choir made up of individuals with special needs. Her love of music began in her youth when she played in the Moravian Brass Band in Winston-Salem alongside her father, sister and many other family members.

    Betty was a member of Mt. Hope United Church of Christ, Union Ridge UCC, International Assn. of Personnel in Employment Security, and held a life-long membership in the Women’s Fellowship of the United Church of Christ.

    Betty was preceded in death by her husband and children Terry Lynn Settlemyre, James “Tony” Anthony Settlemyre, and Betty Kimberly Settlemyre, and sister Winifred “Bobbie” Queen. She is survived by two nieces, Bronwyn Queen (Alex Lynas-Jones) of Winston-Salem, Stacie Queen (Todd Darnell) and nephew Sam Darnell of Lexington, NC, close friend Billy Swain and special caregiver Josette Burnette.

    Betty loved to spread joy through music and communion with family and friends. She loved nature and the coast, especially a visit to her home in Venice, FL. She will be remembered for the wonderful stories she told, her generous laughter, the immense love she felt for her children, and her beautiful blue eyes. It was not unusual for Betty to burst into song at any given moment.

    The celebration of life services will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Union Ridge Church by Rev. Dan Ficklin and Rev. Kristen Gerner Vaughn. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 1:45pm Thursday prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall. The graveside service will be held at 3:30pm Thursday at Mt. Hope United Church of Christ Cemetery.