Betty Jewel Sexton

Betty Jewel Webb Sexton November 6, 1932 – January 8, 2023  

Betty Sexton, age 90 of Weaverville, NC, left this life surrounded by her husband of 72 years, James Sexton, and her loving family. Betty is survived by her husband, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.  

Betty was the youngest and last surviving of the 6 children of Joshua and Mintha Webb. Born as Jewel Webb, Betty was a native of Western North Carolina and grew up in the Enka-Candler area. Being much younger than her siblings, “Baby Jewel” grew up well cared for and loved by her older siblings. Baby Jewel soon became Betty Jewel and was a feisty go getter from the start. In 1950, she married James Sexton and began building the life they shared together for more than 72 years. In 1951, the couple welcomed their first-born daughter Phyllis, daughter Pam followed in 1953 and son Tim was born in 1957. Betty and James completed their family with daughter Julie in 1965.   

Throughout her life, family was central to Betty’s life as she took pride in all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s successes and accomplishments.   

In addition to being a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Betty was a trailblazing hard worker with a quick wit and smile.  A natural born salesperson and a leader of change in her own right.  In her early days, she worked at Southern Desk Furniture factory in Hildebran, NC. She and 4 other women were the first women hired in 1962 during a time when women were not given an opportunity in certain fields of manufacturing. Betty continued to push for change for women in the workforce as she moved to Sears in 1972, being the first female salesperson at the Asheville store in the TV department. She had no problem taking on the tough job to promote what was right for herself or those around her.  This hard work carried her to become a small business owner.  She opened Carousel Records and Tapes on Tunnel Road in Asheville, NC in 1980-1990 which quickly became a fixture in the popular music scene in Asheville.  Her love of music and her customers made her time owning Carousel Records and Tapes not only a labor of love but also a resounding success.  

Just prior to and after retiring, Betty and her husband, James, purchased property at Holden Beach in North Carolina.  Betty and James enjoyed developing new friends and the beach life, spending many months throughout the year at what became a favorite retreat. In addition to the new friendships, she particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren at the beach retreat.  

Surviving family members in addition to her husband James Sexton of Weaverville, NC are children: Phyllis Stowe (husband Billy) of Weaverville, NC, Pamela McCurry (husband Art) of Greenville, SC, Timothy Sexton (wife Tammie) of Shallotte, NC and Julie Eggers (husband Don) of Mt. Pleasant, SC.  

Grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jeremy Stowe (wife Deanne, children Zachary, Elizabeth and Meredith), Bridget Gossett (husband Dan, children Emily and Tyler) Jamie Sexton, Nicholas Stowe ( Wife Jaime, children Jacob and Megan) Rachel Houck (husband Jason, children Piper and Dylan)Michael Lee ( wife Deana, children James and Thomas) Hillary Shockley (husband Leland, child Samson) and Christopher Sexton.    

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Weaverville United Methodist Church, 85 N. Main Street, Weaverville. Rev. Richard Blount will officiate. Burial will follow in West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts Street, Weaverville. The family will receive friends from 9:30AM to 10:45AM on Saturday at the church.

Flowers are appreciated and or donations can be made to Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County website: MOWABC.org.