Betty Gragg Edmonds, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and educator, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family in the home of her daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Jim, in Newland, NC.
Born on February 19, 1935, in Avery County, Betty was a cherished member of the Asheville, NC community and a faithful servant of the Lord. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Jessie Gragg; her sister, Bobby and brother-in-law, Rom English; and her sister, Jane Clark.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Gene Edmonds; her brother, Joe Gragg and wife Shirley; her brother-in-law, Doug Clark; her daughters: Jane Thompson (Danny) and Susan Phillips (Jim); and her precious grandchildren: Jessie Phillips (boyfriend David Armstrong), Hannah Thompson, Josh Thompson, Matthew Phillips (fiancée Elle Baker), Valerie Phillips (fiancé Noah Shoupe), Lydia Thompson, Gracie Phillips Michaels (James), and Rebecca Thompson.
A graduate of Lees McRae College and Western Carolina University, Betty had a deep passion for education, spending many years as a teacher in Asheville City Schools. Her dedication to her students and to the values of learning and faith were evident in all aspects of her life. She lived a life centered on love, kindness, and Christian service, offering a shining example of faith and grace to all who knew her.
As a passionate artist, Betty knew how to capture the fine details of the places and people she saw. She knew how to masterfully capture each memory and detail with the stroke of a paint brush. As we honor her memory in our hearts, we now get to paint our own beautiful memorial picture of her in our minds. Each memory we hold is a brushstroke of paint on the canvas of her life. Now that the paint has dried, we get to step back and admire the work of her life. The life she so carefully and artistically crafted to build up the lives of others.
A funeral service will be held at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., the church in which she and Gene were married. A time to reflect on Betty’s life, share memories, and offer prayers will be followed by refreshments in the fellowship hall.
While our hearts are saddened by her passing, we know that she would look to us and encourage us by saying, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” She was always a shining light of optimism in all of life’s events. She will be dearly missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Her legacy of love, faith, and teaching will continue to inspire all who knew her.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
