Obituary: Betty Joyce Killingsworth Johnson

On a cool spring day a girl was born, and on that same day, a boy was born. As fate would have it, within their first hours, they met. As their eyes met, they said, “I’m yours, and you are mine.” Through the years as they grew, their love grew. One day they said, “I do.” And built a life and family. Today, we said goodbye to the girl.

Betty Joyce Killingsworth Johnson was born on April 8, 1943 to Doc and Thelma Killingsworth and died, surrounded by family, on June 5, 2023. She was 80 years old.

Joyce, as she was called, grew up in Jones County. She graduated from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton) in 1965. She married George Johnson on June 25, 1966, and they would have celebrated 57 years this month. She worked for the City of Kinston for 36 years in the Finance Department. They raised three daughters, Jennifer Bennett (husband Biff), Marybeth Stevens (husband Bryson), and Aimee Armstrong (husband Joshua). They have six grandchildren, Regan Crowley, Cadence Stevens, Levi Stevens, Kylie Koonce, McKenzie Armstrong, and Alexander Armstrong. They also have two great-granddaughters, Cassidy and Eleanor Crowley.

Joyce is also survived by two sisters, Merle Westbrook (husband Jimmy) and Barbara Yates, brother-in-law, Woody Johnson, and her nieces and nephews. She also had many loved pets, one being Copper, her constant companion.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Doc and Thelma Killingsworth.

Joyce always loved spending time with her family and loved an opportunity for a get-together, where you would always hear her laugh. She also loved spending time in the sun at the beach, reading, and driving fast.

The family would like to thank Bright Star Care medical staffing and ECU Home Health and Hospice.

A memorial service will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at Howard-Carter Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to your local Council on Aging and those who work with Dementia.