Bettie West

Bettie Rouse West, 77, of Wilson, passed on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Visitation will be held at Wilson Memorial Service on Wednesday, August 3 from 6:30-8:00 PM.  A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 4 at 11:00 AM at Maplewood Cemetery.

Bettie was born on April 9, 1945 in Kinston, North Carolina.  Bettie, who is survived by her husband of 52 years, David L. West made their home in Wilson since 1974.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice Rodolph Rouse and Eleanor Nash Rouse; sister, Frances Ann Rouse; brother-in-law, Jim Poteet.

She is also survived by her son, David L. West, Jr. and wife Natalia and their children, Chelsea, Ethan, and Mia; her daughter, Meredith West Jacobsen and husband Justin and their children, Kinsey and Justin Edward; and her sister, Bernice Rouse Poteet, and her daughter, Gabby.

Bettie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  As a talented interior designer, she had an eye for beauty, form, and function and she was most happy when she was using her talents to serve others.  Her relationship with Jesus Christ meant everything to her.  It inspired her to open her home to those in need and to serve in many community organizations, including being the Chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party and running for the North Carolina House of Representatives.  Bettie leaves her mark on her family for her love, kindness, guidance and example of goodness, and the Wilson community for her service as well as the homes she personally designed and built.  

The family is deeply grateful to Mary Helen Schaubhuth and her other caregivers, nurses and hospice workers who cared for Bettie during her over seven-year battle with dementia.  Their kindness, tenderness and care for her was as if she was their own family and their services will always be remembered and appreciated.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the West Family Scholarship at the Wilson Community College Foundation at PO Box 4305, Wilson, NC 27893 or the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home at PO Box 249, Middlesex, NC 27557.