Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson "Betty" Gee

Betty was born in 1935 to Virginia and Thornton Wilson. Virginia was a homemaker and Thornton became a successful drycleaning business owner. Mom had many fond memories of her childhood that she loved to tell her children and grandchildren. Her stories helped us understand what her life was like in those days. Some of those stories that should be mentioned are “the devil suit”, “dad saves payroll”, “borrowing sugar”, “peeping Tom”, “pistol packing momma”, and many more. Betty had such fond memories of growing up in Roanoke Rapids, NC where she would walk to school or walk over to visit her grandmother who always had something sweet to eat and love to give. Mom would tell us about her aunts Lib and Francis who were special to her as she grew up. Betty was the oldest of four children. She had two brothers, Buck Wilson Richmond,VA) and Tom Wilson (now deceased) and her much younger sister Lee Tinney (Wilmington, NC). Mom had a running joke with her siblings primarily Buck as to whom was mother’s favorite child using a number to reference their level on the favorite scale. Betty’s brother Tom was handsome, smooth talking, and made everyone feel special. Buck was athletic, strong, and always looked after Betty. Furthermore, Mom always thought Lee was beautiful and often made mention of her beauty inside and out. Once graduating high school, Betty attended Peace Women’s College. The school required white gloves be worn when off campus. Proper etiquette and lady like behavior was very much at the center of the education. Betty’s mother Virginia always exemplified and reinforced those standards. During college, Betty attended a wedding in Richmond. Ben Gee a young pharmacist in the Air Force happened to be there and was to be deployed to Alaska in several weeks. Jean Bagley described mom’s appearance to that of “a coke bottle”. Dad told me that mom looked like Elizabeth Taylor. Ben wasted no time and asked Betty to marry him and in a short time they were together in Alaska. Ben and Betty later built their home in South Hill, VA on the Gee family farm. Ben’s family were primarily farmers where extremely hard work determined your value. We can assume Betty had a bit of culture shock. Betty and Ben raised four children in South Hill. The first was Beth then Kendall, Michaux and later, Mark. While raising her family, Mom’s love of painting grew which continued throughout her life. Mom’s paintings often depicted flowers, angels, portraits of family (things she loved) and now adorne many of our homes. Betty and Ben found Jesus together during the 70’s and both were devoted to helping others find Jesus. Betty and Ben had weekly prayer meetings in their home in South Hill. They both were involved in every opportunity that promoted leading others to Jesus. Ben loved Betty with all his heart until his death in 1987. Betty’s love and devotion to Ben was always obvious and was only equaled with her love for the Lord. She dedicated her life to serving the Lord and always did her best to introduce Jesus to others. Mom’s values and her life’s faithful example will live on for many generations to come. Mom’s life has touched so many people including her 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren all of whom have been touched by her prayers. Mom, we are happy for you today as you are with Dad, Kendall, Tom, Judy, Jean, Lucille, Tina, Grandmother, Grandfather, and many others that you may have helped join you in Heaven. Mom was always faithful to Jesus! A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday June 9, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. in Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory with interment to follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 A.M. until service time in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Gee family.