Nettie Hartsell

Nettie Elizabeth Hartsell, 71 years of age, of Midland and Oak Island, went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, November 1st, 2011, in Carolinas Medical Center - NorthEast of Concord, North Carolina. Ms. Hartsell was born October 21st, 1940 in Mecklenburg County. She was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Hampton Hartsell and her mother, Ruth Cauble Hartsell. Survivors include her sister, Rebecca Ann Hartsell Turbyfill and her husband Ken; her first cousin, but like a brother, James Roy Aldridge and his wife Elaine; her nephews David Lawrence Hartsell and Michael Paul Aldridge and their wives Jodi Hartsell and Amanda Aldridge along with their children Leah Hartsell, Jake Hartsell, and London Arnold; and her close cousins, Jane Zinn, Harry Hartsell, Jennifer Vevoda, Holly Wallace and their families. Elizabeth grew up in Midland, NC and retired in Oak Island, NC. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with honors and began her teaching career at the Louise Harkey School of Nursing, affiliated with Cabarrus Memorial Hospital. She went on to become a well respected science teacher at West Montgomery High School and South Rowan High School specializing in chemistry, biology, anatomy, and physics. She earned her Master’s Degree in Human Development from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a member of North Carolina Association of Educators and the National Association of Educators. Aunt Betty, as she was often called by her family and close friends, was first and foremost a Christian. Her faith was a constant source of support and comfort to her. While she held her faith close to her heart, it wasn’t something she kept to herself. Her Lord blessed her with many talents which she used in the service of others. She touched many people’s lives and led several to Christ. For most of her adult life, she was a Sunday School teacher working with young children, middle schoolers, high school students, and adults. She taught at Bethel United Methodist Church in Midland and Ocean View United Methodist Church in Oak Island. She led fundraisers, donated time and money to missions work, was active in the St. Stephen’s Ministries, and supported the Battered Women’s Shelter. She loved to cook and organize, so she enjoyed spending much of her retirement time devoted to Meals on Wheels. She prided herself on giving the recipients enough food to have leftovers for the next day. She said that no one would ever leave her table hungry. No one did. The funeral service will be held at Bethel United Methodist Church of Midland at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 6th. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the sanctuary from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Rev. Mark Clontz will officiate. Memorials may be made to the building funds at Bethel United Methodist Church at 12700 Idlebrook Road, Midland, NC 28107 or Ocean View United Methodist Church at 8400 East Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465. Memorials may also be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the family.