Patsy Belch Terry

Patsy Belch Hartkopf Terry, 86, daughter of the late Cecil & Clarine Powell Belch, Sr., passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM, at The Memorial Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. A Celebration of Life and burial will be held in the spring.

Patsy was born in Colerain, North Carolina, growing up there and in Mackey's, North Carolina. She graduated Roper High School in 1956. Patsy attended Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona, and Pitt Community College in Winterville. She then graduated the Realtors Institute Courses at Beaufort Community College in Washington.

In 1956, she married her first husband, Captain Albert I. Hartkopf, and was a U.S. Marine Corps wife for 25 years. She was proud of her time spent in that important role. The family travelled widely living at duty stations in Kansas, Hawaii, Japan, New York, Beaufort SC, Arizona, and Havelock NC. Patriotism was very important to her. She embraced her role as a Marine Corps wife in support of her husband, the Corps, and her country. Enduring three tours of duty in Vietnam, she assured a home for her son, mother, and her Marine.

Pat spent 40 years in real estate and became a Broker in 2016. She retired in 2020. In her retirement, she took classes at Professional Home Care Solutions, and since 1981 had spent many months as a caregiver to elder patients.

She was a member of The Memorial Baptist Church where she was an historian and choir member. She participated in several organizations – Meals on Wheels, the Soup Kitchen, a Judge at the Pitt County Board of Elections, Treasurer of the Business & Professional Women's Council; Treasurer of the Pitt-Greenville Realtor Women's Council, a volunteer at the homeless shelter, and a Sierra Club Member. Pat loved life and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

In 2007, she wrote "Memories of Mackey's", an historical account of her days spent there. She also contributed to the book "The Whites of Rockahock", an historical record from the 1600's forward, of the families in the counties surrounding the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, Patsy was preceded in death by her first husband, Captain Albert I. Hartkopf, Sr. of Mackey's; and second husband, Hubert Dallas Terry of Aulander; brothers, Cecil James Belch, Jr., and William Powell Belch.

She is survived by her sister, Betty Belch Watters of Virginia Beach; son, Albert I. Hartkopf, Jr. of Hillsborough, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Kya Hartkopf Tyson (Thomas) of Farmville, and Sierra Hartkopf Frazee (Brandon) of Altamahaw, North Carolina; three great-grandchildren, Raelyn, Ella, and Addison; and one great-grandchild due in August.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Patsy's name to The Memorial Baptist Church, 1510 Greenville Blvd SE, Greenville, North Carolina 27858.