Betty Jean Mahala Rickard

Ms. Betty Jean Mahala Rickard, 68, died at the Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington on July 18, 2010, after a period of declining health. She had battled lymphoma cancer for 6 years and lived at Whispering Oaks Retirement Center in Salisbury. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Dr. Larry Summey of Franklin Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday, July 20 at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. Betty was born May 14, 1942, in Lexington and was the daughter of the late James Harvey Mahala and Molly Irene George Mahala. Many will remember Betty as a talented gospel music singer and a beautiful lady with a wonderful sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Daniels. Betty is survived by her two daughters, Tina Sheets of Salisbury and Jeanie Godfrey of Lexington; three sons, Tony Rickard, Scott Rickard and Chris Rickard of Lexington; four sisters, Nancy Talley, Joyce Felker, Libby Cross and Barbara Bailey; two brothers, James Mahala and Larry Mahala; 11 grandchildren, Corie Sheets, Matthew Sheets, Samantha Rickard, Ethan Rickard, Sonny Rickard, Jodi Braley, Joey Rickard, Nicholas Godfrey, Nathan Godfrey, Jessica Rickard and Christian Rickard: and three great-grandchildren, Jerzie Braley, Joey Braley and Jaedyn Hartsell. Memorials be made to Carolina Cancer Services, 25 West Sixth Ave., Lexington, NC 27292 or to Hinkle Hospice House, 202 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292 The family of Betty Rickard wishes to thank all the nurses, doctors and social workers at Rowan Regional Hospital, Salisbury Oncology and Hinkle Hospice House for their loving support and dedicated care.