Betty Jo Reid Maxwell, 90, of Marshall, NC, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. She was born July 5th, 1935, in the Long Branch Community of Madison County. She was a member of Long Branch Missionary Baptist Church where she met her true love Samuel Wesley Maxwell when he attended a service at her church and asked to walk her home.

Betty graduated from Marshall High School in 1951. Sam, who had joined the Navy while they were dating, wrote to her mother and requested permission to marry her. Betty flew to California where he was stationed in San Diego, and they married on July 24th, 1952. They lived in California for eight years before returning to North Carolina in 1960. They lived in Asheville before building a house and moving to Marshall in 1973. Betty and Sam celebrated their 70Th wedding anniversary in 2022.

Betty cherished her family with all her heart and they meant the world to her. Sam was truly the love of her life. She treasured her two daughters, and she was a loving grandmother and a doting great-grandmother. Betty was very close to her extended family members who frequently commented on how sweet she was.

Betty loved her Long Branch Missionary Baptist Church family. In earlier years, she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher working with the youth and later in her Adult Women's Class. Many members referred to her as 'Sweet Betty'.

Prior to retirement, Betty was the secretary to the plant manager at Ball Corporation. She also worked for the Forest Service and for Trinity Industries. Later, she dabbled in selling real estate.

Betty's home was her sanctuary and she loved making it more beautiful. She had a knack for decorating. She thoroughly enjoyed working outside tending her flowers. Betty loved spending time on her deck watching the hummingbirds come to the feeders.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Sam, her parents Boyd Reid and Murphy Tweed Reid, brothers Fleet and Troy, and sisters Eva Allen, Thelma Drewnoski, and Sue Catherine Denton. Left here to cherish and carry on her memory are her two daughters Pamela Randolph (Ivan) of Abbeville, SC , Sherri Payne (Monty) of Marshall, NC, grandchildren Nathan Henderson of Greeneville, TN, Kristin Patton (Austin) of Fletcher, NC, Amber Payne of Raleigh, NC, step-grandson Brandon Payne of Durham, NC, two great-granddaughters Harper and Haven Patton, brother Glen Willard Reid (Norma) of Rutherfordton, NC, a cousin Susie Tweed Goodman (Gene) of Ann Arbor, MI, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service. Reverend Steve Honeycutt and Rev. Dr. John Reid will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to extend heart-felt appreciation to the health providers of Compassionate Care who went over and above in the wonderful care they provided for Betty.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org