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Elizabeth Petty Obituary
Apr 22, 1942 - Mar 3, 2026
Elizabeth "Betty" McGuire Petty passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026. Born April 22, 1942, to Grace Robinson and William Bulgin McGuire in Charlotte, N.C., Betty graduated from Charlotte's Myers Park High School in 1960. After graduating from Sweet Briar College in 1964, she lived in New York City, where she worked for the Rockefeller Foundation and had the chance to meet many of the authors she studied in college. Betty returned to North Carolina and started a family with her first husband. She was deeply engaged in her community, including the Junior League of Winston-Salem, where she helped start a juvenile justice program. Betty also pursued and obtained a master's degree in psychiatric nursing and worked as a psych nurse in Winston-Salem.
In 2002, Betty married the love of her life, Douglas Petty. They made their home in Vero Beach, Fla., for much of their marriage before moving to Williamsburg Landing, Va., in 2023. Betty never met a stranger. She engaged with every person she met. And she could engage for some time. She spontaneously created fun and whimsical activity wherever she went and was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and spouse. When walking her young grandchildren, she would inspire curiosity and wonder by encouraging amazement at every small thing they noticed. Betty loved to be outside walking in nature.
She is survived by her second husband, Douglas Petty of Williamsburg, Va.; her daughters, Liz (Bob) Blue of Richmond, Va., and Nikki Appel (Melinda Daniels) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her grandchildren, John Blue, Tom Blue, Eliza Blue, Lyle Daniels and Laura Daniels; her brothers, William (Suzanne) McGuire, Jr. and Robert (Nancy) McGuire of Charlotte, N.C.; her sister-in-law, Tina McGuire of Asheville, N.C.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; stepdaughters; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, John McGuire. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Mainspring Conservation Trust of Franklin, N.C., or charity of choice.
The family will hold a celebration of Betty's life at the Williamsburg Landing Auditorium on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m.
Bucktrout Funeral Home
4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Petty
Sponsored by Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
3 Entries
Marc Mobley
March 8, 2026
Betty McGuire was a wonderful person. I grew up down the street from her in Charlotte. I am saddened to learn of her passing.
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Joe Helsabeck
March 8, 2026
I had a great relationship with Betty for a long time. She worked with me during my time @ Merrill Lynch. We saw each other several times after she moved to Vero & enjoyed breakfast @ their Vero condo, country ham included. Doug was a good guy & they visited Sharon & me @ our Vero home . Very sad to know she is gone.
Joe Helsabeck Vero
Mary Allen Martin
March 8, 2026
I first met Betty in Winston-Salem through the Junior League and later reconnected with her in Vero Beach. She was such a positive person and always so enthusiastic about everything. I enjoyed meeting Doug when we were down at Grand Harbor and saw them a number of times. Just yesterday I walked past their condo and thought about Betty and wondered how she and Doug were doing . We often stopped and talked as we walked the loop. I am so sad to hear of her passing. Hugs to Doug and all her family.
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Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
People and places connected with Elizabeth
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem Journal
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