Betsy Gayle (Howerton) Kidd

BETSY HOWERTON KIDD, age 74 of Newnan, GA died Monday, May 31, 2021.  She was born June 28, 1946 in Person County, NC daughter of the late Burnis & Betty Walker Howerton and was wife of 37 years to the late Larry W. Kidd.

Betsy taught school for 20 years in various locations.  She began her teaching career at Bethel Hill Elementary School in Person County in 1972.  She then was director of “Operation Ours”, a federal preschool program in Alamance County.  She later returned to Person County to teach the first state supported kindergarten class at North Elementary for a year.  After this she moved to Richmond, VA and taught in Chesterfield County for 13 years.  Her love of children was obvious, but she had health issues that caused her to retire after 20 years of teaching.

At the time of her death Betsy was a resident of Newnan, GA.  She had the opportunity to live in several countries while Larry was still living and working all over the world.  She lived in Windsor, England for three years and then in Geneva, Switzerland for two years.

Betsy was always active in church from her youth throughout her life.  She was a member of Ca-vel Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC and then became a member of Huguenot Baptist Church in Richmond, VA for 25 years.  Later in England, she and Larry were active members in the Windsor Baptist Centre during their time in Windsor, England.  When she moved back to the US and to Stockbridge, GA she became a member of First Baptist Church of Stockbridge where she started a Ladies Ensemble which was named “Sylva Belles” after her mother-in-law, Sylvia Clayton Kidd.  At the time of her death, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Newnan.  She enjoyed singing in the Parish Choir when she could.

Betsy visited Roxboro often to keep in touch with her family, husband’s family, as well as her high school friends and former church friends. These visits brought her much joy and many fun times.

She is survived by a daughter, Kelle Kidd Torregrossa & husband, Wilba, two grandchildren who were the highlights of her life, grandson, Clayton Walker Torregrossa, granddaughter, Maycen Cecile Torregrossa, niece, Rev. Andrea Fare Smith, great nephew, Andrew Smith, great niece, Layne Smith, and a host of other nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Kidd is preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Howerton Fare.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 in the Strickland and Jones Funeral Services Chapel with the Rev. Andrea Fare Smith and the Rev. Garland Walker officiating.  Interment will follow in the Person Memorial Cemetery.  The family will receive friends and guests from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2021 at the funeral home.  A reception will follow the conclusion of the service at the Homestead Steak House at 4:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Craig Bigham, Andy Day, Brandon Gentry, Jeffrey Gentry, Russell Gentry, Stephen Gentry, Andrew Smith, and Clayton Torregrossa.  Honorary pallbearers will be Colon Bradsher, Charlie Compton, Pete Clayton, Michael Gentry, Selby Kidd, Brian Jobe, Mike Perry, Jimmy Shotwell, Justin Shotwell, Claude Vickers, and H.L. Whitt.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ca-vel Baptist Church, 1885 North Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573.

Arrangements are by Strickland and Jones Memorial Funeral Services, 1810 Durham Road, Roxboro, NC 27573.  Online condolences may be made at stricklandandjonesfs.com.

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