Betty Swicegood Cruse

Betty Swicegood Cruse, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury after a brief hospitalization. She was born September 21, 1925, to John Earl and Ora Skinner Swicegood in Salisbury, the youngest daughter of eight children. Betty was educated in the Rowan County schools and graduated from Spencer High School, Class of 1942, and Salisbury Business College. She began her professional career with the US Ration Board in Spencer during World War II and retired from Security Bank & Trust (SunTrust) as assistant vice president and branch manager in Salisbury. After early retirement Betty was a homemaker and continued to host her mother in the family home. She enjoyed traveling, church activities, and family gatherings; she always had a great joy for life and her many blessings and was known for her sweet smile and happy disposition. A life-long member of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was active in the church choir, the chimes choir and missionary group as well as a longtime volunteer in the church office. She formerly served on the church council, pastor call committee, was secretary of the building fund and taught Sunday school. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Charles T. Cruse, on October 3, 1988, two sisters and four brothers. She is survived by daughter Carol Leonard (Rick) of Salisbury, granddaughter Kim Miller (Brad) of Gold Hill and brother, Jack Swicegood (Peg) also of Salisbury as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Summersett Funeral Home on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. At other times the family will be at the home of daughter Carol Leonard. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 355 East Ridge Road, Salisbury, NC 28144, conducted by Rev. Darrell Norris and Rev. Caroll Robinson. Burial will follow in Rowan Memorial Park. Memorials may be given to Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church or Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Cruse family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Betty Swicegood Cruse

September 21, 1925 - October 27, 2017