Novella "Betty" Rumfelt

Novella “Betty” Rumfelt, age 100, of Nebo, North Carolina, departed to be with the Lord on the morning of Saturday, March 20, 2021 at her residence.  Her loving family was by her side.  The daughter of the late Wade and Bessie Page Usery, she was born in Gaston County, North Carolina on March 26, 1920.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James Kenneth Culbreth, Sr.; second husband, Wilbur “Bill” Rumfelt; third husband, Rev. Thomas B. Deese; one daughter, Linda C. Mode; and one nephew, Terry Usery.

An amazing and outstanding mother, grandmother and aunt, Betty had been a caretaker for many people.  She enjoyed spending time at the McDowell County Senior Center where she loved to quilt. Following many years, she had retired from Burlington Industry. Truly loving the Lord, Betty was a member for over 40 years at Macedonia Baptist Church. 

She is survived by one daughter, Judy C. Korpal of Nebo; one son, James Kenneth Culbreth, Jr. of Bessemer City; son-in-law, Jerry L. Mode; four grandchildren, Lisa Laib (Ernie), Jennifer Simpson (Daniel), Melinda Cooke (Dennis) and Jerry L. Mode, Jr.; great grandchildren, Megan, Jamie, Anita, Nicholas, Jereka, Lindsey and Sarah: and great-great grandchildren, Gavin, Kayla, Anika, Brylyn, Noah, Natalie and Nova.  Also surviving are one nephew, Jimmy; three nieces, Maxine, Patty and Jamie; and one great niece, Jessica. 

A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service in Marion with Rev. Steven Painter officiating.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., prior to the service. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia. 

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Betty’s memory are asked to consider, Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209 (www.alz.org) and/or CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care-McDowell, 575 Airport Road, Marion, North Carolina 28752.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to caregiver, Martha Johnson and sister-in-law, Virginia Rumfelt; as well as CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care-McDowell, for the amazing care they provided Betty during her time of illness.