Betty Bates Hutchens, 89, (formerly of Princeton, WV), peacefully passed away in her sleep on Monday, August 20, 2018 at her daughter’s home in Charlotte, NC where she resided for the past 5 years.

Betty was born January 4, 1929 in Princeton, WV to the late C.V. Bates and Ethel Shelton Bates. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Hutchens, sister, Patty Bates Parkey, and brother-in-law, B. Ray Parkey II. Betty graduated from Concord College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and taught English, Drama and Speech for over 25 years. She was an inspiration to all that entered her classroom. Upon retirement from Princeton Senior High School in 1989, she served two terms on the Princeton City Council and made a tremendous, positive impact in the community during her tenure. During her term on the City Council, she fulfilled her late husband’s dream to implement the 1991 beautification project of Mercer Street in the downtown area of Princeton, WV. Betty was an asset to this project and she spent much of her time, with the help of others, planting plum trees and over 200 bulbs in the area formerly known as Town Square. Betty was also known for her baking and creative cake decorating skills, and catered numerous weddings and anniversaries. She was a long-standing member of the Eastern Star, Chapter 53, and an Elder at Princeton Presbyterian Church. Well known for her loyalty to family and friends, her passion for pets and her inspiration to others, she will be dearly missed by all.

Betty is survived by her son, Mark Bates Hutchens and wife Eva, of Charlotte, NC; son, Matthew Jackson Hutchens and wife Ann Marie of Pearisburg, VA; daughter, Angela Renee Kiser and husband Mike, of Charlotte, NC; and grandsons, John Jackson Zella of Carbondale, PA and Michael Andrew Kiser of Charlotte, NC. Betty is also survived by her niece, Cindy Parkey of Sanford, NC; nephew, Andy Parkey of Saltville, VA; niece, Holly Crase of Marion, VA and their children Abby and Claire Parkey; nephew, B. Ray Parkey III and wife Carrie of Matthews, NC, and their son Benjamin.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 11:00 – 11:30am at Princeton Presbyterian Church. There will be a service following the visitation beginning at 11:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden at www.dsbg.org or Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012.

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Hutchens family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.