Betty Gray (Brooks) Busick

Betty Gray Brooks Busick, 82, died Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Alamance Regional Hospital in Burlington, NC surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Apple’s Chapel in Gibsonville, NC. 

Betty was born to George Norman Brooks and Alma Walker Brooks on January 23, 1941. An only child, she was born and raised on her family’s land, Brook Knoll Farm, where she lived most of her life. Her mother Alma passed away suddenly in 1949 and Norman later re-married Beulah Katherine Wood of Winston-Salem, NC. Beulah helped raise Betty from an early age and Betty was blessed to have Beulah as her mother for most of her life. 

Betty graduated from Reidsville High School in 1959 and went on to graduate from East Carolina University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She began teaching first grade beside her mom Beulah at Monticello School, teaching first grade her entire 30+ years in education and retiring from Brown Summit School in 1996. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teaching Sorority and was a Silver Sister, where she enjoyed the fellowship with other sorority members. 

She was a dedicated mother to her three children, Lisa, Richard, and John. She never missed a single event in their lives, from little league games, track meets, band concerts, and football games. Even into adulthood, when they called, she was there. 

Then came the grandchildren. “Bet-Bet '', as she was lovingly known to many, came to be on November 8, 1983 with the birth of her first grandchild, Meredith. Two more grandchildren followed; Hunter in 1991 and Lily in 2008. From the dog days of summer on the farm, games of Chinese Checkers, dinners at Morazi’s Pizza, breakfast at Shoney’s, beach trips and Jubilee Park, cooking lessons, and Friday trips to Toys ‘R Us, the memories made with their Bet-Bet are priceless. Not many get to don the title of Great-Grandma, but Bet-Bet’s doting continued on with Ella Kate and Hattie Gray. As were her grandchildren, Ella Kate and Hattie were the recipients of all the love their Bet-Bet had to give and they thought she hung the moon. 

Betty was a faithful member of Apples Chapel Church her entire life. It was there she met the love of her life, James. Her church family was an important part of her life and in her younger days, if the church doors were open, she was there. She served on many church committees, sang in the choir, and was always happy to prepare a meal for Homecoming and other church events. Food was her love language. She always found a reason to prepare a dish or meal for ones she loved. Her famous Chicken Pie was the family’s most coveted dish, though her pound cakes and banana puddings also brought smiles to those that had the pleasure of eating them. 

Betty enjoyed many hobbies, including gardening, crocheting, cross-stitching and harvesting fresh foods and produce for all of her family to enjoy. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, George Norman Brooks, Alma Walker Brooks, and Beulah Wood Huffines; her husband, James Jefferson Busick; her son-in-law William “Bill” Marion Stadler; and her daughter-in-law, Stacy Deal Allison. She is survived by her three children, Lisa Allison Stadler of Reidsville, James Richard Allison of Kure Beach, and John David Allison of Reidsville; grandchildren Meredith Truitt Staley (Cliff) of Reidsville, Hunter Reed Truitt of Reidsville, and Lily Gray Allison of Reidsville; her great-grandchildren Ella Kate and Hattie Staley of Reidsville; and many special cousins and friends. Her family will receive visitors at her home, 1165 Candy Creek Rd., Reidsville throughout the week, as well as after the service on Sunday. Citty Funeral Home is assisting the family. 

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