Martha Elizabeth "Betsy" (Wellborn) Hill

Martha Elizabeth “Betsy” Wellborn Hill passed away on November 9, 2025. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Laurie Keith Hill, a daughter, Keri Elizabeth Hill, a son-in-law, David Paul Jenkins, and a granddaughter, Helena Elizabeth Hill Jenkins. She is also survived by siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Betsy was born on June 15, 1945, the middle daughter of Hayes and Mary Wellborn. She spent a truly happy childhood on a working farm in eastern Watauga County, North Carolina. She was part of a close-knit community of family, extended family, and neighbors. 

Betsy was always physically fit and abundantly healthy throughout her life until the last few years. The roots of that vibrancy can be traced to her childhood. She loved the out-of-doors and participated enthusiastically in chores on the farm: milking cows, gathering hay, mowing, picking fruit, churning butter, tending the large garden, weekly washing and drying clothes, caring for aging grandparents, and even driving a school bus for 2 years. Although Betsy seldom ventured beyond Watauga and Wilkes counties, she considered her childhood to have been a wonderful experience which gave her the values, confidence, and optimism to transition successfully to adulthood. 

After graduating from West Wilkes High School in 1963, Betsy attended Appalachian State University for 3 years, majoring in biology. There she met her future husband, Keith, in the spring of her sophomore year. They married after her junior year, and she transferred to Radford University in Virginia and completed her degree in 1967. 

Betsy soon began a teaching career which lasted 34 years. Twenty-nine of those years were spent in Wilkes County teaching 7th and 8th grades science and math. She taught at 2 schools: first at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School and finished her career at Woodward Middle School. She was a beloved and respected teacher cherished by her students and colleagues alike. She retired in 2001 and entered a merry and most satisfying 20 plus years of carefree living. 

Although teaching was an intense and time-consuming career, Betsy had a fulfilling life outside of her profession. Once her daughter, Keri Elizabeth, was born in 1977, she and her mother were intimately involved in each other’s lives until her Mom’s last breath. They rode to school together for the entire 12 years of Keri’s time in public schools. Betsy also took Keri to ballet classes twice a week from early childhood through high school. She was deeply involved in Keri’s ballet, not only attending her practices, but also assisting in preparing for performances and during the events. 

A most stimulating part of Betsy and Keith’s long marriage was spent traveling. They were passionate advocates for “road trips”. These began with their honeymoon and lasted into the 21st century. These auto adventures covered nearly every state in the continental United States and parts of Canada. When their daughter, Keri was born she soon became an eager companion in all of these mostly summer ventures. These trips made for wonderful memories whenever the family gathered. 

Frequent trips to the North Carolina coast were also an indelible part of family life. Weeks were spent at the beach each summer, along with additional weekend trips during the fall and spring. Emerald Isle became like a second home. Such vacations continued into 2025.

Betsy’s retirement was blessed with the birth of her granddaughter, Helena Elizabeth, in 2010. “Oomey” became involved joyfully with Helena from the birthing process and on into high school. Whether Keri, Paul and Helena lived in California, Connecticut or present-day Cary, North Carolina, “Oomey” and “Baba” were present much of the time, hardly ever missing important holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions. 

Betsy remained committed to a healthy lifestyle through her 80+ years. She was dedicated to her physical, nutritional and emotional wellbeing. She and Keith were involved in daily physical activities including hiking, biking, gym workouts and other sports activities. 

Betsy had a long, lighthearted and healthy period of retirement. She remained as busy during retirement as she had been in her teaching and parenting years. While still involved in many physical activities, her greatest passion was playing doubles tennis. After her retirement, she played on a regular basis. She continued to play a high level of competitive tennis until her late seventies. 

One of Betsy’s defining characteristics throughout her life was her love of people. She was highly extroverted and engaged with everyone she met. She was kind, tolerant and followed the “golden rule” in her interactions with others. Betsy was without prejudices or biases. She did not concern herself with an individual's station in life, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, religion, geographical origins, or sexual orientation. Such a delightful approach to her fellow human beings was a great benefit to Betsy and all those with whom she came in contact. 

Betsy will be lovingly missed by her family, friends and everyone with whom she blessed with her acquaintance. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring-a time she especially loved after winter’s dreariness. 

The family especially appreciated the kindness and devotion shown to Betsy and her family by UNC Hospice in Chapel Hill for 5 months. Medi Home Health & Hospice in Boone also showed the same warmth and caring attitude during her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to UNC Hospice. Checks may be made payable to UNC Hospice with “Martha Elizabeth “Betsy” Wellborn Hill” in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to the address below: 

UNC Hospice

℅ UNC Health Foundation

123 West Franklin Street, Suite 510

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

You may also donate online at: https://give.unc.edu/tribute/whill

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