Betty Frances Hockaday

Betty Frances Ennis Hockaday, 96, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 30, 2025. Born and raised in the Carpenter community of Cary, she lived a long life centered on faith, family, and the values she carried from her upbringing. She was a devoted lifelong active member of Good Hope Baptist Church. She served as Sunday School teacher, first female deacon, worked in church kitchen, decorating committee and many other services including mission trip. She supported the Carpenter volunteer fire department by being a Fire Pal. She was known for her love of cooking and baking her "Hummingbird" cake and "Red Velvet" cake for family and friends. Betty graduated from Green Hope High School in 1945 and completed additional education at Kings Business College in Raleigh. She retired from Great American Insurance Company in Raleigh as an adjuster.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Kay Hockaday Van Asch (Neil) of Oakboro, NC, her sons, Don Hockaday (Kelly) of Benson, NC and Bob Hockaday (Jaye) of Chapel Hill, NC and her grandchildren Brooke Rigsbee (Mark) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Sarah Hockaday of Durham, NC, Eric Van Asch of Raleigh, NC, and Kevin Van Asch of Asheville, NC and great-grandchildren Cody Poythress, Riley Poythress, and Harper Rigsbee of Fuquay-Varina, NC.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Davis Hockaday; her parents, William Busbee Ennis and Gertrude Reams; her siblings, Bill Ennis, Wilma Phillips, and Peggy Hatcher.

Betty will be remembered for her strength, her love for her family, and her strong Christian faith. She was a wonderful mother, grandma, grandmommy, and Gigi.

The family wishes to thank those who visited her at WakeMed/Cary, Hillcrest/Durham, and Transitions/Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at Good Hope Baptist Church[ https://goodhopechurch.churchcenter.com/giving ], 6628 Good Hope Church Road, Cary, NC 27519.