Betty J. Eckard

1923 - 2025

Betty J. Eckard

January 19, 1923 - March 7, 2025

Betty Jayne (Froehlich) Eckard passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025 at Trinity Village in Hickory, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Ralph E. Eckard of Hickory.

Betty was born on January 19, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Elvira (Vera) and Richard Froehlich. She moved with her parents and brother, Richard, to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1933.

While growing up in Sheboygan she developed her love of movies, reading (even recently marveling at being able to visit a library and borrow books), and singing.

On a whim and with a quarter in her pocket she had her first singing lesson and discovered a beautiful soprano voice. She parlayed that voice into a professional singing career that took her from the Greek Theater in Los Angeles to the East Coast; the latter as part of a trio called the Melodears.

She met Ralph in Chicago in October 1949, he was ordained as a Lutheran minister on June 8, 1950, and they married on June 10th. She assumed the role of a pastor's wife, moving to two small towns in Iowa, one in Missouri, two in Illinois, and landing in a suburb of New York City when Ralph became the Assistant to the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in America.

No matter where she lived, Betty enthusiastically served each congregation with her lovely voice. She also would join the local chorus and perform. She found joy and comfort in music and once they moved to Hickory in 1989, every radio in the house was turned to WDAV, the classical radio station of Davidson College. Together she and Ralph attended many musical performances.

She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Nancy and Michael Verderosa, Ruth and Kurt Anderson, and Linda and Daniel Vilardo; four grandchildren and their spouses, Heather Anderson, Nicole (Anderson) and Richie McLean, Brian and Jill Verderosa, and Melissa (Vilardo) and Bryan Krough; two great-grandchildren, Maverick McLean and Rory Verderosa; and four grand dogs, Luna, Riley, Ellie Mae and Maddie. She also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Virginia Froehlich; an extra special niece, Cynthia Taylor; her full-time caregiver, with whom she developed a strong and loving bond; and an adoring grandnephew, Gunner Callahan, who provided smiles and hugs every visit. The family also wants to recognize Loree Clodfelter and Melba Steiner of Home Instead who with kindness and patience provided part-time care for Betty the past four years. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, long-time friends and church family. All are left with memories of her kindness, support, simplicity, thoughtfulness and grace, love of family and faith in God.

A memorial service will be held on March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 2259 12th Street, NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Betty J. Eckard to the music ministry at St. Stephens Lutheran Church (address above) or Radio Station WDAV at 209 Ridge Road P.O. Box 5000 Davidson, NC 28035

Hickory Funeral Home

1031 11th Ave. Blvd., SE, Hickory, NC 28602