Betty (Teachey) Kelley

Betty Teachey Kelley, 79, of Wallace, NC, passed away on Monday, April 14th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

 She was born on November 24, 1945, in Duplin County and was the daughter of the late Hill C. Teachey, Sr. and Sarah Mobley Teachey.  Betty was also preceded in death by her husband Larry Thomas Kelley; and their sons Maurice Kelley and Richard “Ricky” Kelley and her siblings, Mary Pearl Price, Esta Mason, Sarah Rivenbark, Hill Teachey, Jr. and Geraldine Franz.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and follower of Jesus Christ.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her daughter Susan Kelley Rivenbark and husband Scottie of Wallace; grandchildren Reverend Brandon Kelley and wife Sarah, Matthew Rivenbark and wife Kaitlyn, Courtney Kelley Hollingsworth and husband Justin, Dylan Rivenbark and wife Sydney, Briley Kelley and wife Haley, Maggianna Rivenbark, Brianna Kelley and Brailan Kelley; great grandchildren Isaac Kelley, Lydia Kelley, Hayes Rivenbark, Rowan Rivenbark, Scotland Rivenbark, Sarah Holland Rivenbark and Everleigh Hollingsworth; daughter-in-laws Carol Kelley and Teresa Kelley, both of Wallace; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Betty dearly.

Betty married her husband Larry on April 17, 1965. Shortly after, they had their son Ricky in 1966, their daughter Susan in 1968, and their second son Maurice in 1972. She was a stay-at-home mom until she began her working career at A&P of Wallace. After working there for 8 years, she left and pursued her education at James Sprunt Community College. After graduation, she became a certified nursing assistant working with Duplin Home Health and Hospice. Betty was a loyal preacher's wife. She followed her husband for years as the Lord called them to different churches until they ultimately moved to Raleigh, NC, to pastor Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church in 2001. After much prayer, Betty and Larry decided to retire and move back to be able to spend time with their family. She devoted the majority of her life to raising her children and making memories with her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling the U.S. with family and friends. She was loved tremendously by her family and will be dearly missed. 

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral; Home Wallace Chapel with Reverend Buster Price and Betty's grandson, Reverend Brandon Kelley officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 on Friday, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Little Pin Hook Cemetery, Teachey, NC.

Casketbearers will be Matthew Rivenbark, Dylan Rivenbark, Briley Kelley, Brailan Kelley, Trey Maready and Justin Hollingsworth.

Memorial gifts may be given to The Bluefields Memory Care, 1935 Lincoln Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451. 

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Laurie Romand and the entire staff of The Bluefields Memory Care facilty as well as Gentiva Home Health and Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care they gave to Betty and her family.

You may share your memories and send condolences to the Kelley family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.   

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Walace, North Carolina 

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