Helen Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark-Peddycord passed away on Saturday evening, February 4, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Bolivia, NC. Betsy had been enjoying life to the fullest even after her brain cancer diagnosis in September 2021. We got to see Beth graduate from Mars Hill University in May 2022. We enjoyed moving permanently to our beach house and we visited Maui, Hawaii both in July 2022. We went to see Eric Church and then Bon Jovi. We saw friends regularly while on the cancer journey and that helped us live completely.

Betsy was born on March 8, 1961 in Shelby, NC to the late Paul Gene Clark (Grandad) and Helen Elizabeth Clark (Beth or Maw). Betsy graduated from Shelby High School. Betsy earned an Associate Degree from Peace College and Bachelor’s Degree focused in Criminal Justice from Central Piedmont Community College. Betsy worked as a Probation/ Parole officer for many years and then became a wonderful mom. When Beth started school, Betsy started substitute teaching in Gaston County. She later became a Teacher’s Assistant and was awarded as Teachers Assistant of the Year at Woodhill Elementary. Betsy loved helping the students in many ways. Betsy was a great friend to so many people. Betsy was such a good listener. If you were friends with Betsy then you had a great friend. Clay loved to make Betsy laugh all the time. Betsy loved to cook and her talents were often praised. She took amazing care of Clay, Beth and all of her pets along the way. Most recently she served as Maui’s (family dog) favorite person. Betsy enjoyed a long relationship with her horse named Major. Betsy grew up boating and water skiing at Lake James. Betsy loved caring for plants both in the home and in the yard. Bird feeding and bird watching gave Betsy great joy.

Betsy is preceded in death by her father and mother, Gene and Beth Clark.

Betsy is survived by husband of 28 years, Clay Peddycord, daughter Beth Peddycord (22), sister Kathryn Vance, brother-in-law Bo Vance and nephew Ransom Vance… and many special friends in Charlotte, Gastonia, Shelby, Morganton and Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Clay and Beth wish to thank Kathryn and Bo Vance, Mona and Tony Gibson, Evelyn Wooten as well as Elizabeth and Billy Pigg for their close support for the Peddycords during our cancer journey. Thanks to the countless others that helped us make a special 16 months for the Peddycords. There will be a celebration of life scheduled as a private party by invitation in Ocean Isle Beach in the weeks ahead.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Betsy to charity that is dear to you. Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Bolivia, NC will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our Hospice nurse Ashley and Social worker Jennifer were a blessing for Beth and Clay.

In the end, the Peddycords helped beat brain cancer by the way we lived.

Clay’s Twitter feed @claypeddycord captures moments and news during our cancer experience since late September 2021.

Please send any letters, notes, and cards to

Clay Peddycord

2026 Waterloo St. SW

Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469

Online condolences may be made at the CaringBridge.org site for Betsy Peddycord

Brunswick Funeral Services in Shallotte, NC will be performing the cremation services for the Peddycord family. There will be no formal visitation