Betty Jackson Driver

Betty Jackson Driver, 77, of Canton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. 

Betty was born on March 29, 1947, in Asheville, North Carolina to Earl and Rhea Jackson. After graduating from Western Carolina University, Betty was a devoted educator who dedicated 38 years of her life to Haywood County Schools before retiring in 2010 to become a full-time grandmother. Known for her petite size and strong voice, Betty left a lasting impact on all who entered her classroom and looked for the best in all of her students.

Betty had a special bond with her retired teacher friends and treasured her lunch dates with them, enjoying their company and the shared memories of their time in education.

A woman of deep faith, Betty was a longtime member of Beaverdam United Methodist Church in Canton, where she served as the choir director, a Sunday school teacher, and was an active member of the United Methodist Women’s Society.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Earl Jackson; her mother, Rhea Jackson; and her brother, Thomas Jackson.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Dave Driver; her son, Bill Driver, and his wife, Hallie; her grandchildren, Emery and Owen; her bonus grandchild, Joshua Scott. Betty’s love for her family knew no bounds, and it was her grandchildren who held a special place in her heart. She was deeply devoted to her grandchildren and they brought her immense joy.

Betty is also survived by her sisters, Elaine Wooten of Leicester and Ilena Carpenter of Asheville; her nieces and nephews, Chantel, Emily, Shannon, Milton, Keaton, Michael, and Diana; as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, and many extended family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Beaverdam United Methodist Church in Canton, with family receiving friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. Rev. Becky Brown and Rev. Jane Jenkins will preside over the service. A burial service will follow at Crawford Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde, North Carolina. Pallbearers will be Michael Hall, Zeb Smathers, Joshua Scott, Weaver Scott, Joe Robinson, and David Buckner with Owen Driver acting as an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Beaverdam United Methodist Church at 80 Rice Cove Rd, Canton NC 28786 in Betty’s memory.

The care of Mrs. Driver has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.