Betsy Thomas Wall

Betsy Jane Thomas Wall, age 87, passed away on August 29, 2025. Betsy was the daughter of the late Oliver Austin Thomas and Lillian Keeter Thomas, born in Wake County on January 1, 1938. She was a devout Christian who loved Jesus Christ and her children. Betsy spent the majority of her life preaching, counseling, writing, and crafting.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Lawson Wall, Jr.; daughter, Cynthia Rose Wall; and siblings: Oliver Thomas, Mable Thomas Wall, Jimmy Thomas, Harry Thomas, and Jerry Thomas.

Betsy is survived by her sister, Sue Hall and her husband, Isaac R. Hall, Jr., and their son, Isaac Randall Hall III; daughter, Karen Wall Prather and her husband, Charles Prather (deceased), and her daughter, Amber Celene Prather McKinnie, and her husband, Eliott McKinnie; son, Robert Lawson Wall, Jr. and his companion, Adriana Marie Miller, and his sons, Jason Wall and Michael Wall; son, Robin Thomas Wall and his wife, Joni Wall, and their children John Wall and his wife, Aspen Wall, Jacob Wall, Jalen Wall and his wife, Bianca Wall, and Josh Wall; son, Michael Devon Wall and his companion, Sidney Lanier Rushing; great-grandchildren: Diamond Alyse Davis, Evelyn Wall, George Wall, Cooper Wall, Hayes Wall; great-great-grandchild, Veiah Reign Davis-Tshimanga; and her lifelong friend, Gail Morgan, and her children, Bryan Morgan and Kristie Morgan.

From her children and family: Mama's life was overwhelmingly filled with love, especially the love of Jesus. She spent the majority of her time instilling his teaching and instruction with everyone she came in contact with. She prayed and counseled with many, too many to name, and she was very intentional to ensure their sights were set on Jesus and, most importantly, that they make it to heaven's gate.

Our physical reality is that there is no love without grief. Queen Elizabeth II wrote, "Grief is the price we pay for love." Jamie Anderson wrote, "Grief, I've learned, is really just love. It's all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest." Looking at Mama's life and the amount of love she gave and experienced, we cannot imagine how much grief and hurt she endured. It's no wonder that her loving heart was not able to continue to sustain her physical life. BUT, according to Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." And John 16:22 "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." There are many more scriptures we could share, but these alone give us great comfort knowing that Mama was never alone in her pain as Jesus was walking with her – just like the framed poem on the wall…

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with

the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In

each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were

two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of my life, I could see only one set of

footprints, so I said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would

walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most,

have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set

of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

After Mama's passing, a Hospice representative arrived to facilitate removing her body from Robin and Joni's home. Mama was lying peacefully – her eyes were slightly open and her cold face was adorned with a peaceful smile. We expect her expression was a reaction to her witnessing Jesus and his angels coming to take her home, which gives all of us an overwhelming sense of peace.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your steady stream of unconditional love and for imparting your beautiful wisdom with God's instruction in each of us as we continue our journeys with you forever in our hearts. We love and miss you so much, Mama, but there is much greater comfort knowing that we'll see you again soon in that joyful and wonderful Kingdom of Heaven.

"Keep on Truckin", Betsy Wall

A graveside service to celebrate Betsy's life will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery, 3329 Forestville Road, Raleigh, NC 27616.