Betty Alexander McGuire

Betty Alexander McGuire, 92, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away on February 14, 2023 after a short period of declining health.

Betty was born in Holt, Michigan on March 3, 1930, the daughter of the late D.L. and Ruth Alexander. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Dr. Franklin Boyd McGuire; a son, Dr. Mark P. McGuire; a grandson Grayson Tanner McGuire; a sister, Jenny Alexander Nicoloff; and a niece Kim A. Silberman. She is survived by three children; Brian A. McGuire (Susan) of Clayton, Sarah McGuire Lewis (Jim) of Raleigh, and Paul F. McGuire of Charlotte; two nephews, Bill Kohlenberger (Carlene), and John Silberman (Nicole), both of Illinois. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two great nephews.

She was raised in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1947. Betty married Frank in 1950 in Chicago and moved first to Asheville, North Carolina and then to Brevard, North Carolina. For the next 35 years she raised four children and was involved in various church, school, and community activities. She enjoyed following her children and their school and sports activities, especially basketball. She was most proud that her first two sons, Brian and Mark, earned Eagle Scout honors through the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1968, Betty took a leap of faith by enrolling in Brevard Junior College. With young children at home, it took her four years to complete the two-year degree. Following that she completed a degree in Business Administration by traveling to the University of North Carolina at Asheville and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. She graduated in 1977 from Western Carolina.

Betty served as the Finance Officer for Transylvania County, NC for seven years. In 1985 Betty moved to Raleigh and spent 22 plus years working for the North Carolina Department of Correction, Division of Prisons. She retired at the age of 76 holding the position of Director of Administrative Services, overseeing all budgetary and personnel matters for the state’s prison system.

She accomplished all of this and so much more despite losing most of her hearing at the age of 26 and having to utilize hearing aids throughout the remainder of her life.

Outside of motherhood and her career, Betty’s most important interests included gardening, politics, music, religion, genealogy and UNC basketball. Her gardens wherever she lived were immaculate and inspiring. She had a passion for women’s issues and fervently supported those causes throughout her life. She played in the Handbell Choir for years at Edenton Street United Methodist Church and always celebrated and enjoyed the organ music. She never left church services until the postlude organ music was completed.

One of her most treasured trips was a visit to the Holy Land in Israel with her daughter Sarah in 1998. In her later years she poured her heart and skills into researching the history of her family through genealogy. She was always happy to share what she learned in this process and truly celebrated her family’s legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations made in her honor be directed to Edenton Street United Methodist Church; designated for the Ruth Sheets Center, Raleigh, NC or Transitions LifeCare, Raleigh, NC.

Graveside services for Betty McGuire will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Gillispie- Evergreen Cemetery in Brevard.