Betty Holden Stike
Betty Holden Stike, of Wilmington, died at age 95 in her home on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Born on August 15, 1918, in Bolivia, NC, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray L. Stike and five brothers: Massey T. Holden, Homer H. Holden, John F. Holden, Roderick H. Holden, Kemp R. Holden, and one sister, Margaret H. Duvall. She is survived by her son Dr. John R. Stike and his partner David DiMuro, of Wilmington and several cousins and a sister-in-law.
Betty graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, from East Carolina University with a Master of Education degree, and completed post graduate studies at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Her passion for education led Betty to teach in Brunswick, Harnett, and New Hanover County public schools for 24 years. After that, she served for 21 ½ years as a faculty member at University of North Carolina Wilmington in the Watson School (now College) of Education. There, the education lab was named in her honor: Betty Holden Stike Education Lab. She helped charter the Student North Carolina Association of Educators at UNCW and was a member of the National Education Association, NC Association of Educators, and the NC Retired School Personnel Association. She also taught extension classes for East Carolina University.
Throughout her career, Betty was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Women Educators and held offices on the local, regional, and state levels.
As a wonderful Christian lady, Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Wilmington for 73 years, where she was elected the first woman deacon and served on the Board of Trustees and other committees. She was a faithful member of the Dobson Sunday School Class and the Women’s Missionary Union. To honor her mission spirit and faithfulness, the Mission Group has been named: Betty Stike Women on Mission. Betty served as a Board member of several ministries of the Baptist State Convention and was a loyal supporter of the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. Her passion for missions led her to volunteer at Good Shepherd Ministries where, at age 86, she went to Chile, South America, for 2 weeks as part of a mission team. She was also a trustee of the Holden Beach Chapel, Holden Beach, NC.
Betty was an active member of the North Carolina Sorosis Women’s Club, holding the offices of President, Vice President, and Chaplain on the district level. She was a member of Friends of UNCW, Cameron Art Museum, Oakdale Friends, Wilmington Symphony, Wilmington Concert Association, and Chamber Music Wilmington.