Betsy Gehman Jolley

Betsy Gehman Jolley, 87, passed away on June 14, 2017. She was born in Rocky Mount, NC on June 3, 1930, to the late Franklin Kemper Gehman and Lillian Ward Gehman. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Thomas Edward Jolley, Jr., daughter Elizabeth Ward Jolley and son Frank Gehman Jolley, all of Rocky Mount, NC. She is also survived by her four cherished grandsons: Charles Alden Love, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Edward Kemper Love of Rocky Mount, NC, Frank Gehman Jolley, Jr. of Greensboro, NC, and Thomas Clifford Jolley of Chapel Hill, NC. Betsy graduated from Rocky Mount High School and Womens College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (now UNC-Greensboro). Upon graduation, she returned home to Rocky Mount and married Thomas Edward Jolley, Jr. on August 2, 1952. After a brief teaching career, Betsy focused her time and energy into building a loving home for her family. Betsy was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount, NC, for 64 years. She served on various committees; some of which included the Altar Guild, LOGOS, and the Columbarium Committee. Betsy was a member of the Twentieth Century Study Club and a sustaining member of the Rocky Mount Junior Guild. Betsy had fond memories of special time spent with family and friends at Nags Head and Pine Knoll Shores. In recent years she enjoyed the beauty of nature found in her own backyard and the neighborhood. She particularly loved her flower garden and the birds that accompanied it. Throughout her life she loved working with her hands; planting flowers in her garden, creating cross stitch heirlooms and writing in calligraphy. Betsy also enjoyed cooking and preparing her special recipes for family, friends and neighbors. Her passion for doing for others was exemplified by her efforts to always remember birthdays and special occasions. She spent countless hours in the card shop carefully selecting the perfect card to express her sentiments. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church located at 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC. A visitation with the family will follow the service in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church at 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or the Salvation Army of Rocky Mount at 420 Paul Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount) 100 South Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-977-0400 --> | Tuesday 6/20, 3:00 pm Memorial First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount) 100 South Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-977-0400 --> | Tuesday 6/20, 2:00 pm