Myrtle Light

Betty A. Light, 89, of Brevard, NC passed away on December 24, 2013 at her home.

Myrtle A. "Betty" Light, 89, of Brevard passed away peacefully at her home the morning of Tuesday, December 24, 2013.
She was born to the late Robert and Eva Aldridge on December 29, 1923 on Billy's Island in the Okefenokee Swamp in south Georgia "by a real doctor" as she loved to proclaim. Her father managed the company store for a lumber company operating in the Okefenokee. Shortly thereafter they moved to the nearby Waycross, Georgia area where she attended Ware County School System and graduated from Ware County High School. Betty was blessed to have parents who had a deep abiding love for one another. Her father worked for the Forestry Commission and her mother was a homemaker. Although they didn't have much in the way of material possessions, the love more than made up for it. She and her sister, Clara, absorbed and carried that special love and it lives on and forever will.

Upon her graduation from high school, Betty entered Berry College in Rome, Georgia where she met and fell in love with her late husband, Frank Rainey Light. Story has it that when Frank first laid eyes on Betty as she was exiting the bus bringing new students to the Gate of Opportunity Admissions Office, he said, "Wow, she's mine!" After a few notes were passed by Frank to Betty in the coed dining hall, Betty insisted upon a formal introduction and after that they never had eyes for anyone else. Although boys quarters were well separated from those of the girls, Betty was fortunate to land a job in the college bookstore where Frank and his identical twin brother, Joseph, would often visit. Once when Frank had to return home to Amboy, Georgia for hernia surgery, he entrusted Betty to his brother Joseph and nobody realized is wasn't Frank dining with Betty. Even though dancing close, holding hands and kissing were strictly prohibited, Frank and Betty managed to break the rules ever so slightly and delighted in it. Betty had red hair and Berry College required that girls wear pink. Betty thought that was just awful but it sure didn't bother Frank. As the years passed and Betty advanced in age, her hair never turned gray. And she even started wearing pink!

Upon the beginning of WWII, frank and his brother enlisted in the Marines. Betty returned to Waycross to be with her family and began working in the Forestry Commission as a bookkeeper. While home on leave, Frank and Betty were married on October 15, 1943. Tragically, Joseph was killed in action. Frank's mother told Betty that if Frank hadn't married her, Joseph likely would have. After the war ended, Frank entered the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on the G.I. Bill. Betty had done such an exceptional job with the Forestry Commission in Waycross that her boss brought her to Atlanta and gave her a top position so that she could provide the financial support they needed while Frank concentrated on his degree in mechanical engineering. Betty received much deserved recognition as her books always balanced and there was never a mistake, an accomplishment for which she was very proud.

Upon Frank's graduation, together they decided to accept the offer from DuPont which took them to Wilmington, Delaware and then to Chattanooga, Tennessee where two sons, Joseph and Frank Jr. were born. Another transfer brought them to Brevard, North Carolina where their daughter Katharine was born. And there they put down roots. They purchased the house of Betty's dreams and ever since it has been known as the Light family home.

Betty was a devout Christian and a member of Brevard First Baptist Church for over 50 years. She generously gave of her finances and selflessly gave of herself in many ways. She served as church librarian and along with a couple of dear friends turned a room full of books in disarray into a sight to behold, Dewey Decimal System and all! She loved taking her turn rocking babies in the nursery during morning worship service. She served a tedious tenure on the church history committee and loved participating in the "Young at Heart" group with their monthly covered dish lunches and trips to various locations.

It was no secret that Betty adored her family, and likewise Betty's family adored and revered her. Nothing made her happier than to be a wife, mother and grandmother (Nana.). She always put her family's needs before her own. She loved having the traditional role of homemaker. Good, nutritious meals were always carefully selected and prepared, and if possible, nothing went to waste. She was an expert seamstress and made many of her own clothes and for her children also. When her children were old enough, she became a substitute teacher in the Transylvania County School System where she was beloved by teachers and students alike.

Betty and Frank had season tickets to the Brevard Music Center where they shared their love of classical music, opera, musicals and special artists. Betty was an avid bridge player and adored her bridge club. Not taking it too seriously, the members would often be heard laughing and cutting up, to her delight. her friends would often comment on her sweet nature, the sparkle in her eyes and her girlish giggle. Betty also loved playing Liverpool Rummy with her sister Clara when she came to visit. They would play for hours on end.

Although Betty was not materialistic, she liked to look her best so she always took advantage of a good sale. But she could also get out in her work clothes and tend to her flowers, shrubs and vegetable garden to the delight of her neighbors. She had a work t-shirt that said "I love to play in the dirt." The love of fishing came from both Betty and Frank's side of the family, so fishing expeditions were also a part of life. She always loved the family pets and graciously provided a warm home and lots of love for her "grandcats."

Although Betty always kept on the sunny side of life and never had an unkind word to say about anybody, she was troubled by the injustices in the world. She couldn't understand how people could be so heartless. So if you would like to make even just a small difference in the world around you to honor Betty, extend a random act of kindness to someone, give a compassionate smile and gentle nod to someone who looks down and out , or do something to "pay it forward." Be sure to count your blessings. Betty did so every day, many times over.

Betty is survived by her sister, Clara DuBose, of Elberton, Georgia; her three children: Joseph Light, Frank Light, Jr and Katharine Light., all of Brevard; and her pride and joy, grandson Carl Light, of Brevard.

A special thank you to Jennifer Owen Light, grandson Carl's mother who Betty adored like a daughter, for the 20 years running that she has made a strawberry cake for Betty's birthday and who lovingly helped make her final days on this earth as comfortable as possible.

A private family graveside service was held on Friday, December 27, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Blue Ridge gardens of memory with Rev. Cynthia Barclay officiating and music provided by soloist and dear friend Deanna Mull.

in lieu of flowers, memorials for Betty would be appreciated at either The Bread of Life, 248 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712, Humane Society, 84 E. Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712; Hospice of Transylvania Regional Hospital, 1266 Asheville Highway, Brevard, NC 28712.

To leave a condolence for the Light family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services are caring for the family.