Betty McKenzie Rohleder, 87, of Marietta, Ga., formerly of Rockingham, N.C., died Saturday, June 13, 2015.
She was born in Roberdel on June 24, 1927, the daughter of Frank Ledbetter and Annie Reynolds McKenzie.
Betty Rohleder
Betty grew up in Cordova and graduated from Rockingham High School in 1945. She was the winner of the Citizenship Cup, an award originated by her father’s high school class in 1921. She was known for her beautiful soprano voice and voted Most Musical by her senior class. She was also voted Best Actress, Best All’Round, and Most Outstanding Personality. She edited the school newsmagazine “The Broadcaster,” and wrote and acted in one of the senior plays.
After high school, Betty furthered her music education at Flora MacDonald College and then Woman’s College (now UNC-G). She finished her education with a secretarial course.
Betty began her working career in Charlotte where she was employed by Duke Power Co. After her marriage to Jack Rohleder, they moved to Lumberton and she worked in the offices of the Lumberton schools superintendent’s office. A return to Charlotte brought her to Queens College, where she worked until she started her family. When the family moved to Rockingham in the 1960s, Betty worked as bookkeeper for Bill Wallace Inc. and First United Methodist Church. In addition to working in an office, Betty put her musical talent to work as choir director at Purcell Methodist Church in Charlotte, and substitute choral teacher at L.J. Bell Elementary and Rockingham High School in Rockingham.
One of Betty’s favorite pastimes was playing bridge. She and Jack helped form a bridge club when they lived in Charlotte early in their marriage, and continued the relationship after moving to Rockingham, then back to Charlotte. These friends stuck together over the decades, and their children remain friends today.
Betty also enjoyed crocheting. She was prolific in her output, creating afghans, placemats, even purses, for friends and relatives. In Marietta, Betty made lap blankets for shut-ins, donated through the Kiwanis Club.
She was a friend to many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack C. Rohleder; and her brothers, Malcolm L. McKenzie and W. Benton McKenzie.
Betty is survived by her two daughters, Ann Stephens and her husband, Eric, of Marana, Ariz., Ruth Hesson and her husband, Tom, of Marietta, Ga.; son, Carl Rohleder and his wife, Danna, of Greenville, S.C.; grandchildren, Gretchen Rohleder and Paige Rohleder, both of Charlotte, and Zach Hesson of Dallas, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made in memory of Betty to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Pkwy Ste 1Marietta, Ga 30067, Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain, 475 Dickson Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064, or First United Methodist Church of Rockingham, North Carolina, PO Box 637, Rockingham, NC 28380.
Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta is in charge of arrangements.
Paid obituary
The Pee Dee Post
Sunday, June 14, 2015
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