Elizabeth “Betty” Suzanne Meyer of Columbus, N.C. passed away at the age of 98 on Oct. 5, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Betty was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 18, 1919. She was the daughter of Peter Goss and Katarina Gassenfeit Goss. After graduating from Olney High School in Philadelphia in 1937 and attending Philadelphia Secretarial School, Betty began working as a Dictaphone operator in Philadelphia. She worked for C.I.T. Corporation on the 17th floor of the city’s first skyscraper.

In 1939, Betty married her high school sweetheart, Joe Meyer. Joe worked as a wholesale florist until entering the Air Corps Cadet Program during World War II. Betty and Joe lived in Texas (Fort Worth, Greenville and Big Spring), while he completed pilot training and later was stationed there. After the war, Betty and Joe returned to Pennsylvania and opened a wholesale florist shop, which they operated in Reading, Pa. for 24 years.

Betty and Joe attended Calvary United Church of Christ in Reading, and Betty was active with a local Lioness Club while Joe was in the Lions Club. She also volunteered with the PTA at the schools of her daughters Sherry and Pam, and she enjoyed china painting and other styles of painting.

In 1961, Betty started a new professional career, taking a job as an Executive Secretary at Reading Body Works. She was soon promoted to Director of Advertising and later Advertising Marketing Manager. She retired at the age of 70 after working there for 28 years. During her career, she enjoyed traveling with the company to many parts of the world.

Betty enjoyed 38 years of marriage with her husband Joe, who passed away in 1976 from cancer. Betty never remarried, but eventually developed a close relationship with John Hallowell and his family. She and John were together until he passed in 1992.

In 1997, Betty moved to Mill Spring, N.C. to be close to family. She enjoyed her later years living independently, spending time with family, cooking, reading and volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital Thrift Shop in Tryon, N.C.

Betty is survived by her daughters Sherry Springer (Florida) and Pamela Crissey (North Carolina), her grandchildren Lisa Eveland (Virginia), Chris Dailey (South Carolina), and Ann Giallella (Tennessee), and her great-grandchildren Libby, Laura, Anthony, Nicholas, William and Gabrielle. She was predeceased by her sisters Kathryn and Anna, her great-grandson Kevin, her lifelong friend Ruth Robinson and close friend Ruth Eshenaur.

She is warmly remembered by her family for her enduring grace, her beaming smile, her warm heart and above all else, the deep love she had for her family.

There will be a service in Reading, Pa. on November 5.

Condolences to the family can be made to www.sandersfuneralandcremation.com.

Sanders Funeral and Cremation Service of Columbus, N.C. is serving the family.

Sanders Funeral and Cremation Service
Columbus, N.C.