Betty Ruth Beildman Rush

Betty Ruth Beildman Rush RALEIGH, N.C. Mrs. Betty Ruth Beildman Rush slipped peacefully into eternal life on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, in West Hartford, Conn. Betty was born in Bristol Tennessee on March 19, 1935, to the late William Garfield Beildman and Jennie Florence Dixon Beildman. Betty accepted Christ at an early age and joined Hood Memorial AME Zion Church Bristol Tennessee. She participated in Sunday School, Various Christian Endeavor and sang in the junior choir. It was always her hope to be a missionary. Her formative years were spent in Bristol Tennessee where she graduated from Slater High School with honors. She went on to attend Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C., where she earned a B.S. degree in education. While a student there, she participated on the basketball team, choir and was the president of Alpha Kappa Sorority. Following her graduation, Betty began her teaching career in Petersburg, Va. Shortly after marring, she moved to Fuquay-Varina, N.C., where she continued her professional career as a school teacher. She taught in the Wake County Public School system for 33 years. While there, she served as the Social Studies Chairperson and the In-School Suspension Coordinator. She went on to earn her master degree from North Carolina Central University in supervision and leadership. Upon moving to N.C., Betty continued to serve in various roles within the AME Zion Church, including Rush Metropolitan. During her dedicated service she served as Director of Conference Workers, District Director of Christian Education, Deaconess, Founder and Chairperson of Health Ministry and as a choir member. Her active involvement in the community included Executive Director and board member of Pine Acres Community Center, Registrar of Voters, Centennial Gala Committee, National President of the Beildman, Blevins, Howard, Dixon Family Reunion, National Negro Women's Society and N.C. Retired School Personnel. She was the 2002 recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. lights of Hope Award and received service awards from the YWCA and the town of Fuquay-Varina. Betty was deeply devoted to her church, community and family. She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Mrs. Monica Rush Howard of Kennesaw, Ga., and Mrs. Tammy Rush Exum (Earl) of West Harford, Conn.; one sister, Mrs. Lorean Beildman Henderson, Bristol Tennessee; one brother, the Rev. Dr. J. LaVon Kincaid (Bobi) of Pittsburg, Pa.; five grandchildren, Hyatt Howard of Haven, Conn., Kristen Howard of Charlottesville, Va., Evan Earl Kyle Edmond and Jonathan Lee Exum of West Harford. Celebration of life service for Mrs. Betty Ruth Beildman Rush will be conducted at 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at Hood Memorial AME Zion Church. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Bristol Virginia. Online condolences can be sent to the family via email at raclarkfuneralservice@yahoo.com Mrs. Betty Ruth Beildman Rush and family are in care of R.A.Clark Funeral Service Inc. Bristol, TN, (423)764-8584