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AHOSKIE, NC – Betty Gayle Edwards Rhea, 80, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Rocky Mount Specialty of Rocky Mount, NC.

Betty Gayle was born on August 23, 1939 to Whit Roy Edwards and Mildred Liverman Edwards in Sunbury, NC. Betty Gayle was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church. She retired after serving the community at Wachovia Bank for more than 40 years. Betty Gayle lost the love of her life in 1992 with the passing of her beloved husband, JJ. She has spent the last several years in her happy place, Cape Canaveral, Florida, remaining very dear to her family back home. Although Betty Gayle and JJ never had children of their own, she was an amazing mother figure to her nieces and nephews, loving them unconditionally. She enjoyed reading, cross stitching, cooking, and being with her family and friends. Betty Gayle was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph James Rhea; her mother-in-law, Minnie Rhea; a brother, Howard Edwards; a nephew, Jeff Edwards; and a great-great niece.

Left to cherish Betty Gayle’s memory is her brother, Whit Roy Edwards Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Ahoskie; a sister, Lynne Welliver of Raleigh; four nieces, Nicole E. Buck and husband Ed of Murfreesboro, Sheila Burgess and husband Jamie of Charleston, SC, Sarah Flythe and husband Brian of Raleigh, and Mary Midgette and husband Jody of Clayton; a nephew, David Edwards and wife Jamie of Ahoskie; along with many great- nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family and friends.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020, at 2:00 pm at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC, with Rev. Kevin Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 until 2:00 pm at the funeral home and burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Baptist Church, 1650 NC Hwy 461, Ahoskie, NC 27910, or to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Dr. Greenville, NC 27834 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search fund, type- Betty Rhea.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Rhea family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.