Betty Simpson Boone

Betty Boone, 95, of Elon, passed away peacefully in her home on January 26, 2024. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, who were honored to be with her. Betty Vann Simpson Boone was an Alamance County native born to Boyd Russell and Margaret McCray Simpson. Betty is survived by her daughter, Teresa Boone and husband, Mark Sumerford of Greensboro; her son, Mac Boone and wife, Tessa of High Point; grandchildren, Betsy Sumerford and husband, Jesse Akman, Luke Sumerford and wife, Jessica Blanks, Alyson Wyche and wife, Sherry, and Marcus Boone; great grandchildren, McCray Wyche and Webb Wyche; her sisters, Iris Simpson Workman of Burlington and Peggy Simpson Foster of Elon, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Gene Boone and her brothers, Nathan McCray Simpson, Boyd Allen Simpson and Mack Dwight Simpson.

Betty spent much of her life tending faithfully to God’s creations. Her garden thrived with her careful attention, and she was always surrounded by songs from the wild birds she loved and fed.  She took great care of her family and her community, and was a special steward to the land. She delivered Meals on Wheels well into her 90s, and was an active member of her congregation at Fairview United Methodist Church, holding numerous offices and participating in many groups and activities. In these past few years, she especially enjoyed packing food for the Backpack Beginnings Ministry. She was locally known for her oatmeal cookies and pound cakes at bake sales, and birthday cakes for her family. She made her children and grandchildren’s wedding cakes. She shared such love and generosity with her community, touching so many lives across her ten decades.

 She had a curious spirit and was willing to try everything, from home projects to new cuisines and technologies. Betty’s sense of adventure never waned, and her bravery and quiet determination through all life’s challenges was a source of inspiration for those around her. She wanted to learn, and her go-to response was usually “let’s try that!” or “I think we can make it work.” And the core message she modeled, tried to instill in her children and grandchildren was to treat others as you would have them treat you. Her family hopes to honor her legacy by living the way she did: with a full heart, an open mind, and hands that tend to the land and all those who share in it. 

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Fairview United Methodist Church led by Rev. S. Mark Clark. The family will receive friends and family following the service in the church fellowship hall. The family will have a private burial at Bethlehem Christian Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fairview United Methodist Church 3128 Osceola Rd, Elon, NC, Backpack Beginnings Ministry at Fairview UMC, or Alamance County Meals On Wheels.

You may send condolences and sign the online register at www.lowefuneralhome.com