Betty Lou Coates Wilson died Friday, August 12, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Betty was born to Joe T. and Lucille Crocker Coates in 1943.  She graduated from Smithfield High School where she played varsity basketball.  She attended Women's College of Greensboro (now UNC-G).  She married Brack Wilson, Jr., her high school sweetheart, and followed him to Germany, Georgia and Virginia while he was in the Army.  They settled back in Smithfield and raised their family.  Betty was co-owner of Vaughan-Wilson Decorating, co-owned and managed the office of Brack Wilson Ford-Lincoln-Mercury and was co-owner of New Innovative Products. She gave many years to The Johnston County Arts Council and was supportive of the Frank Creech Art Gallery and the Johnston County Heritage Center.

Betty Lou loved to travel and observe birds and gardens, but her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren.  She is survived by her daughter Paige Wilson, son Brack Wilson III (Jorie), grandchildren Olivia, Braxton, Charlotte and Nolan and sister Carolyn Coates.  A special thank you to the staff at The Landings of Smithfield and Heartland Hospice.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 16 2022 at 2 pm in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home, followed by visitation at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC.

Please no flowers.  Memorials may be sent to the Johnston County Arts Council (https://www.jcartscouncil.org/sponsorsdonors.html ) or the Alzheimer's Association https://act.alz.org