Bettie Louise O'Brien
September 12, 1954 ~ March 9, 2011
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Arden – Bettie Louise Bryson O'Brien, 56, died Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at her residence.
Ms. O'Brien was born in Asheville, NC to Sara Marie Williams Bryson and the late Elzia Boyd (E.B.) Bryson.
She was a graduate of T.C. Roberson High School and Western Carolina University where she earned a Masters Degree in Special Education. She spent her entire career working with and for children with differing abilities and special needs. Her passion was to assure that they received the quality of education and service that they deserved.
Bettie began her career at Southwestern Child Development as a center director and later as a training specialist. During the last 20 years of her career, Ms. O'Brien was employed by Buncombe County Childcare Services. She served many positions, such as Director of the AB Tech Child Care Center, the Inclusion Specialist in which she helped implement the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP), the Director of the Buncombe County After school Program and the Program Director of Quality Improvement Projects until her retirement in 2009. Ms. O'Brien also served on the Board of Directors of the Irene Wortham Center.
She is survived by her mother, Sara Marie Williams Bryson; two sisters, Sally Jones and her husband, Bob, of Asheville and Joan Davis and her husband, Gaylerd, of Taylors, SC; three nieces and nephews and three great nieces and nephews.
A time of memory and celebration for family and friends will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to New Direction Ministries, P.O. Box 968, Mars Hill, NC 28754 or to Care Partners Hospice and Palliative Care, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
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Bettie will be missed by so many. My mother and I both worked for her at AB Tech Child Care Center. It was evident that she loved and cared for the wellbeing of each child that came through the doors of the child care center. Ms. Bryson, Sally, Joan and family..you all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am sorry to learn of Bettie’s passing. Iworked in the Child Care Administrative Offices and then later as a County Employee in the General Services (Maintenance) Department. I will always remember her with her huge smile and welcome hug.
I am out of town and won’t be able to attend the services, but will remember the family for the coming days. May God hold all of you tight and bring you peace at this sad time.
Janet Herren
I worked with Bettie at Buncombe County and went to TC together. I am so sorry to hear about her passing. I had not heard she was not well. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Judy
To the Bryson Family:
Sara Marie,
Jessie and I were saddened to learn of Bettie Louis passing. What a shock. I remember her when she was a student at T.C. Roberson High School. Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tommy and Jessie Koontz
To The Bryson Family:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you today. My sister and I grew up with Bettie Lou and Sally in Biltmore. We grew up together in Biltmore Methodist Chruch and attended school at Biltmore and T. C. Roberson. I have many fond memories of our times together. God Bless You.
Kay Tesner
Ann Tesner Gribble
What a blessing Bettie was to so many families! Always the advocate for those that faced many challenges. Working in the child care field for many years I have had several occasions to work with Bettie. She knew her stuff and would go to great lenghths to assist children and child care providers! Thanks Bettie for all you did for so many!! My prayers are with the family.
I am the Executive Director of the Irene Wortham Center. We at the Center honor her life which was committed to children, families, and people with special needs. God bless her family whom she loved deeply.
I was so sorry to hear of Bettie’s death. Bettie was a wonderful inspiration to us all at AB Tech Child Care Center. Her gentle character and concern for all in her care – the children and the staff – made her a role model to emulate. Her patience and diplomacy in strained situations was a blessing!Her friendship was lasting and my children always wanted to see Bettie when we visited Asheville. I wish I could be there with you to remember all she did for so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for her. May her memory be eternal!
Bettie was a great friend of special children. Her caring and sense of humor was wonderful. She will be missed. We love you. Marge Utterback
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bryson Family today. I remember Bettie Lou in Biltmore while she was one of the cheer leaders. She provided great memories while we were at Biltmore and T. C. Roberson. I have many fond memories of our times together. God Bless You
I am sorry for your loss. What a wonderful, fulfilled life she had by touching the lives of so many. You are in my prayers.
Our condoleces go out to Aunt Sara, Joan & Sandy, Sally & Bob and the rest of the family. Betty Lou was special and she will be missed. Our prayers are with you.
I will miss you Bettie. You were my first boss after graduting from college. You gave me confidence and support to a ‘newbie’. I will always remember your kind words to me. My memories of you will always make me smile. Love and prayers to her family.
I send my condolences to Bettie’s family.May she rest in peace.
Vicki
I met Bettie when she moved to the Murphy area. We became close friends and spent much time together. I have so many happy memories that relate to Bettie. She was a special person in my life; I even met Sally during this time. I regret that Bettie and I did not stay in contact once she moved back to Asheville; wish I had been a better friend to her recently. I admire her life work – advocacy for children. Her family is in my prayers and thoughts this day.
May God Bless and comfort you each day.I met Bettie a few years ago.It was clear that she loved her job and cared deeply for those around her.May the Grace of the Lord support you in the upcoming day.
I knew Bettie when she and I both worked with special children in the Murphy area. She was always a joyful person to be around and was terrific with children. I did not know, but am not surprised, that she continued in that line of work. So sad to hear of her passing. God bless you all.
Sally, I just learned about Bettie Lou. I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless you.
Dolores Siler Aguilar
214-505-7660
Aguilarpools@sbcglobal.net