Betty Jo Pace Thompson, 86, was born Sept. 18, 1925 to the late Herbert E. and Maude L. Pace in Saluda. She died Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 in Memorial Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC.  She was a l942 graduate of former Saluda High School and Blanton’s Business College in Asheville. During WWII, she worked with the postal accounts division of the General Accounting Office in Asheville, N.C., returning to Saluda to live when she married in l950. She was secretary-treasurer of Saluda School for several years and also worked as city clerk for the City of Saluda before being employed by First Citizens Bank when the Saluda branch opened in l967. She retired in l987 as branch manager of Saluda’s First Citizen Bank.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Lloyd Thomas Thompson; two daughters, Cynthia (Cindy) Bishop and Jennifer (Jenny) Thompson of Charlotte; a grandson, Zach Bishop, and a granddaughter, Grace Christenbery, both of Charlotte; a sister, Ruth Lawter, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayman O. Pace and Harold Dean Pace, and a sister, Ruby P. Pace.
She faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Saluda, of which she was a member and active member of Dolly Hall Sunday School Class. She professed her faith in God and His Son and thanked God for the many blessings she was given on her life’s journey here on earth. Over the years when she was able she served her church in various capacities.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 in the Saluda First Baptist Church with Rev. David Webb officiating.
Burial was in the Saluda City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 95, Saluda, N.C. 28773 or Little Red Stocking Fund, The Children’s Home Society of N.C., P.O. Box l4608, Greensboro, N.C. 27415-4608; you can also call l-800-632-1400 or visit www.chsnc.org.
An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.