Our sweet precious mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty Jean Messick Baity, entered the gates of heaven on Friday, January 27, 2023. She was born on June 26, 1941, in Iredell County. Her parents were Reid and Mary Evelyn Moose Messick.
Betty was married to the love of her life, Billy J. Baity, for 59 years. She began working for the Iredell County Clerk of Court’s office in 1960 until 1990, when she was elected Iredell County Clerk of Court. She held office for four years before her retirement from the judicial system. In 1997, Mrs. Baity began working as a paralegal for her son’s law office handling real estate and estate matters until her retirement in 2013. Mrs. Baity led a life of service to others. She was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, was a member of the choir, and served on various committees at prior churches.
She loved traveling the world to places like Israel, Egypt, Italy, the UK, France, the Caribbean, and all over the United States including Alaska. She loved doing family genealogy, gardening, crocheting, ceramics, riding motorcycles with her husband, and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Jay Baity; half-siblings, Richard Messick, Allen Messick and Mary Ellen Reavis.
Those left to cherish Betty’s memory include her children, Kimberlye Baity Privette (Mitchell), Melynn Baity Cairo, and Bill J. Baity Jr., Esq.; grandchildren; Hannah P. Nicholson (Matt), Madison Alexandra Cairo, and Meredith Kellen Cairo, Esq. Also surviving are her great grandchildren, Ryleigh Nicholson and Rhett Nicholson; siblings, Dr. Shirley Bowles (David), Bobby Messick (Rose), and June “Cookie” Messick; and half-sister, Gloria Hager.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, at Troutman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, January 30, at Hebron Baptist Church with Rev. Darren Johnson and her nephew, Rev. Joshua Bowles officiating. Entombment will follow in the Baity family mausoleum at Fairview Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church, 175 Hebron Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.