RALEIGH--Betty Jean Freeman Matthews was born on February 10, 1931 in Greensboro, N.C., the daughter of Roland Shufford Freeman and Annie Mae Combs Freeman. She was a graduate of Greensboro High School.

Betty Jean was predeceased by her brother, Hubert Lynn Freeman, her sister, Bertha Mae Freeman Smith, as well as a half-brother, Vernon Donald Freeman.
Her proudest accomplishments were her Christian faith which she shared with others, her family and her love for the outdoors. She enjoyed bird hunting, fishing, horseback riding and flying, which she shared with her children.

She raised three children; Betty Ann, Chip and James while caring for her husband, Dr. Robert Page Hamilton, DDS, during his losing battle with cancer. The Lord blessed her with another husband, Dr. Neely F. Matthews, a professor at North Carolina State University, who also lost his battle with cancer. Betty Jean also fought colon cancer and Guillain-Barre disease.

She was a role model, sincere and caring. She taught her children right from wrong and to respect others. She knew who she was and always looked for the good angels in everyone. She was a source of strength, wisdom, grace and great generosity.

A memorial service for Betty will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Providence Baptist Church, 6339 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27612. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Duke Hospice, 4321Medical Park Dr. #101, Durham, NC 27704.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Paid Obituary