Former Nashville Graphic columnist passes awayMARY ELIZABETH HILLEY HIGH

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Hilley High passed away November 29, 2007. She was born March 24, 1920 in Wilson where her father was president of Atlantic Christian College and from which she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also attended Randolph Macon Women’s College and did post graduate work at Pratt Institute of Art and Technology in New York. She received her Med from ECU in 1972. She married Larry High in New York in 1940, lived in Richmond, Va. where he attended medical school and she worked for the Quartermaster General. They then lived in Trinidad, BWI and Jacksonville, Fla. while he served in the Navy Medical Corp. They then moved to Nashville, NC where they lived and raised her family.

She taught at Northern Nash High school from 1966 to 1982, served as president of Nash Association of Classroom Teachers, was a member of Nashville Planning Board, Chairman of NC Association of Art Educators, president of NC Art Education Association, and was recipient of the Painting Prize at Rocky Mount Annual Art Exhibit. She was a member of Nashville United Methodist Church, NC Museum of Art, NC Arts Council, the Barton Society, Friends of Cooley Library and Braswell Library, Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma.

She also wrote columns for The Nashville Graphic for a number of years.

She remained sharp of mind and wit until her death and enjoyed bridge, online scrabble, genealogy, and her friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Larry Allison High, Sr., her father, Dr. Howard Stevens Hilley, Sr.; mother, Maggie Tucker Hilley; and brother, Howard Stevens Hilley, Jr.

She is survived by two daughter, Becky Tingen and husband Andy of Washington, NC, Margaret Nowell and husband Al of Wilson; two sons, Larry Allison High, Jr. and wife Beth of Rocky Mount, Robert High and wife Kathy of Raleigh; one sister, Jeanne Crabill of Charlottesville, Va., one sister-in-law, Joyce Hilley of Fairfax, Va.; twelve grandchildren, Maggie Walker, Robbie Reid; Raymond, Kevin, Rachel, Brandon, and Natalie High; Mary-Allison, Bert, and Annie Nowell, Drew and Charlie Tingen; two great grandchildren, Garrett and Noah Walker; and a dear friend, D.A. Willey.

The family received friends and family from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Johnson Chapel of Nashville and after the service at the home. A funeral service was held Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Nashville United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 E. Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856; Barton College, PO Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893 or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Chapel of Nashville, 226 South Barnes Street, Nashville, NC 27856. Online condolences can be made at www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com

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