Betsy Louise Council is the daughter of the late Archie L. Butler Sr. and Lucy Butler Turner. She was born in Deatsville, Alabama in 1933 as one of their 5 children. She departed this life suddenly on April 9, 2020.

She grew up in Sylacauga, Alabama and attended school in the Sylacauga school system. The family eventually moved to Anniston, Alabama where she started her work life. During the 1950s the family relocated to New York and eventually New Haven, Connecticut in search for better job opportunities. Betsy married Robert Council, Sr. and they raised 7 children in New Haven, Connecticut eventually relocating to Greenville, North Carolina to help Robert’s dad, Arthur Council, Sr. farm tobacco.

Betsy was a loving mother who took pride in raising her children and building a strong family unit. She worked in the Pitt County school system as a manager for the school cafeteria in excess of 20 years. Her final employment was in New Haven, Connecticut at the Newhallville Day Care Center, New Haven, Connecticut as the manager for their food services program. Through the years she planned and prepared meals for countless youth. She took great pride in knowing she was making an impact by feeding many children who only received a balanced meal at school. Betsy was a very quiet but very thoughtful parent who disciplined through talking more and teaching her children what was right. She especially enjoyed her relationships with her friends at work and maintained lifelong friendships with her coworkers, Mary Wright, Verna Jordan, Gloristine Brown, Gloristine Hopkins, and Rena Teel.

She was a member Wayfaring Ministries and was a mother of the church under the leadership of Pastor Eugene Brunson. She later moved her membership to New Light Ministries under the leadership of Pastor David Council, Sr.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Council, Sr.; and her siblings, Archie L. Butler, Jr (Carolyn), Sylvester Butler (Joyce), and James Thomas Butler (Lillian).

She leaves to mourn her passing a sister, Katie Francis Smith, of New Haven, Connecticut; 4 sons, David C. Council, Sr. (Ruth) of Winterville, NC, William Anthony Council (Annette) of Middletown, Connecticut, James Bryant Council (Eloise) of Greenville, NC, and Robert Council, Jr. (Angeline) of Raleigh, NC; 3 daughters, Jean Simmons (Stan) of Odenton, Md, Patricia L. Council of Hamden, Connecticut and Lois Annette Cooper of Raleigh, NC; 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren; 3 brothers-in-law, Jesse L. Council (Elizabeth), Walter B. Council (Mildred) and Thomas Council (Esther); 5 sisters-in-law, Marion Council Mitchell, Stella Council Mooring, Delores Council Johnson, Erlene Council and Sherry Council; and host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for a future date after the coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.