Betty Brooks Reid

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Betty Ann Brooks Reid’s prayers were answered as the angels carried her to heaven to be with the Lord at the age of ninety-one.

Betty was born in Maiden, North Carolina, on October 2, 1934, to the late Rev. D.J. Brooks and Nokie Detter Brooks. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, William (Bill) Sherrill Reid; her daughter, Pamela Loretta Reid Poovey; her brother, Ronnie Dean Brooks; and her sister, Margaret Jeanette Brooks Childers.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Vicky Jane Reid Ester and her spouse, Terry, and Shirley Ann Reid Estes and her spouse, Chris; as well as her sister, Peggy Sue (Brooks) Buckner; grandsons, Christopher Estes, Justin Poovey, and Jacob Poovey; granddaughters, Christy Ester Cubbage, Kimberly Ester Ramsey, and Erica Estes Genthner; ten great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.

Betty was an active member of the Dudley Shoals community. After graduating from Oak Hill High School, she married the love of her life, Bill Reid. She was a devoted member of Dudley Shoals Church of God for many years, where she served in many roles: church clerk, choir member, Sunday School teacher, and the Ladies Willing Workers, as well as any other position where she could lend a hand. She loved picking up children to bring to God’s house to hear His word. She finished her attendance at Heritage Pentecostal Church in Whitnel.

Betty tutored at Dudley Shoals Elementary in the early 1960s and was an active participant in the school PTA throughout her daughters’ education. In the late 1960s, she attended CCC&TI and earned a certification in drafting, which led to her career at GE in Conover as a draftswoman for over 25 years. There, she found a new family among her colleagues, always expressing her love for the job and the many friends she made, whom she affectionately called her “brothers.” She enjoyed hosting annual reunions with her GE coworkers, as well as the Brooks and Reid family reunions held at the old Reid home in Dudley Shoals, attending for as long as she was able. Anyone who knew Betty was aware of her deep love for antiques and flowers; treasures she held close to her heart.

Betty continued her service to the community by volunteering on the Member Advisory Committee for Blue Ridge Energy in 1999 and founding the Joy Club, a social group for widows in the Dudley Shoals area. She was known for her generosity, supporting many churches and religious organizations. She even did mission work on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Betty also donated the Teague log cabin from Dudley Shoals (that she and Bill were tearing down) to Dr. Hart for his Hart Square Village in Vale.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for her caregivers: Cindy, Shelby, Renee, Barbara, Nancy, and her niece, Linda. Their dedicated support and care provided to Betty at home was a great blessing to her and her daughters. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Hickory Adult Life Programs, Grace Village Memory Care, and Hickory Falls Health and Rehab Center, as well as her roommate, Lynn. The family is especially grateful to the staff of Carolina Caring Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Carolina Caring Hospice of Newton or to Adult Life Programs of Hickory.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Mackie Funeral Service with Rev. Joe Holden officiating. Internment will follow the service at Dudley Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends the same day prior to the service from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mackie Funeral Service.

Mackie Funeral Service and Cremations is assisting the Reid family.

“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”

-II Corinthians 5:8