Betty Bickerstaff McRae passed away at home on Saturday, November 20th. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, friend, and member of the community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lt Col James, and Moselle Bickerstaff. She is survived by her son, Lt Col John McRae, daughter-in-law Kala McRae, and grandchildren Josie, Scout, and James.

Betty devoted her life to helping others. At various times in her life, she was a Boy Scout den mother, PTA member, Junior League President, “Big Sister” to at-risk youth, and court appointed mediator. It was in this final role she truly thrived. After relocating to the Maggie Valley, NC area in the late 1990s, Betty found her niche as a mediation expert for Mountain Mediation Services. Local judges would use Betty’s expertise as a means of solving disputes outside the court system, creating lasting solutions to difficult problems, and building bridges across seemingly hopeless divides. Truly, Betty was the sort of“blessed peacemaker” imagined in the Beatitudes.

Betty was born in Georgia in 1947, and her early life was spent as an Air Force daughter in the Atlanta area. She went on to graduate from Dykes High School in 1965 and later Wesleyan University as a Physical Education major, a passion she followed into the classroom as a high school PE teacher. She later worked as a Delta flight attendant, rubbing shoulders with such luminaries as Lucille Ball and Sly and the Family Stone. Her stories from both experiences delighted many audiences over the years.

Betty idolized her father, WWII veteran and pilot Lt Col James Bickerstaff. This devotion extended to his lifelong Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fandom, a commitment she maintained her entire life as a Tech football season ticket holder, booster, and fervent supporter. She passed this love down to her son John

as well, and they spent many memorable fall Saturdays together at Bobby Dodd Stadium cheering on the Yellow Jackets.

Betty’s final years in the mountains brought her great peace and tranquility. Her childhood summers spent with her beloved Aunt Billie (Peters) in Maggie Valley resonated in her soul, and when Betty had the opportunity to relocate to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, she never looked back. Her other great sources of happiness were her son and grandchildren, a true and deep devotion she expressed at every opportunity. Even after Betty’s passing, their commitment to carrying on her legacy endures, a testament to their shared love, care, and devotion.

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