Elizabeth Ross

   Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross, 81, of Greenville, NC, died Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

   Betsy was born in Beaufort County on May 29, 1942. She grew up in Edenton, the daughter of the late John James and Kathleen Ellis Ross. Many in the area will remember her parents as the owners of the family business, Ross Jewelers, and her mother as a kindergarten teacher. She, with her two brothers, was raised in the faith of Edenton United Methodist Church.

   After graduating high school, Betsy attended East Carolina University where she received her Bachelor’s degree, and later her Masters of Art Education. Her long association with ECU, beginning first as a student, continued as a 40 year faculty member. She retired as Associate Professor Emeritus of Art in 2003. In addition to teaching numerous courses in the School of Art Curriculum, she developed and implemented the first computer graphics lab for art and design at ECU. She was actively involved in Pitt County Historic Preservation, genealogy and received the Sally Cotton Southall Award in 2014.

   Surviving are her brothers, James Ellis “Jim” Ross (wife, Audrey) of Powder Springs, GA, and William A. “Bill” Ross (wife, Linda) of Hertford. Also surviving are Jim’s sons, Jay Ross (wife, Teresa) and John Ross (wife, Rhonda), both of Newport News, VA, and Audrey’s children, Skip Heinrich (wife, Deb) of Dallas, GA, and Andi Montgomery (husband, Keith) of Huntersville; her close friends in Greenville, George and Catherine Walker-Bailey, Mickey and Martha Elmore, and Marjorie Misiura; and many loving cousins, extended family members, and friends.

   A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 6th, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton. A private burial will be on the Ross family plot at Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the service.

   Flowers are welcomed or contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.