Betty Sue Kelly Umstead

DURHAM - Mrs. Betty Sue Kelly “Mimi” Umstead, 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 8, 2025, in comfort care at Duke Regional Hospital. A devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister, aunt, and loyal funny friend, Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Betty was born January 26, 1933, to the late Banks Clifton and Mary Rigsbee Kelly, Sr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Alvis K. “Buddy” Umstead, Jr.; stepdaughter, Servan Umstead Whitfield; sister Frances Braswell; and brother Banks Kelly, Jr.

Betty grew up in Durham and graduated from Durham High School on June 5, 1951. Just two days later, she started work at Wells-Lloyd Florist on West Main Street as a bookkeeper for Lyda Wells and Nellie Lloyd, the shop’s founders. One of the highlights of her early years at Wells-Lloyd was providing regular customer service to Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Hanford, a student at Duke University. Libby’s father, a florist wholesaler based in Salisbury, NC, would include a monthly bunch of extra fresh cut flowers for his daughter in Wells-Lloyd’s normal delivery. Once a month, Libby would make the short walk from Duke’s East Campus to West Main Street and meet with Betty to collect her flowers. Many years later, Libby would become known to the world as the United States Senator from North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole.

Thirty-four years later, Betty purchased Wells-Lloyd from her longtime boss and family friend, Edwin May. She successfully ran the business for another fifteen years before selling the shop in early 2000 and retiring at age 67. But Betty wasn’t done yet.

Betty missed the camaraderie and friendships among the other merchants on West Main Street and within a few months she returned to join the staff at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, where she worked part-time for 14 years as a greeter, office assistant, and funeral service assistant. Her value to the Hall-Wynne team was far greater than the work she did in those roles. She was a familiar, friendly face with a warm, comforting smile—offering solace to those grieving the loss of loved ones when they needed it most.

Betty fully retired in the fall of 2014, concluding 64 remarkable years of service and friendship to the customers and colleagues of Wells-Lloyd Florist and Hall-Wynne Funeral Service on West Main Street.

In her recreational time, Betty thoroughly enjoyed the Durham community as a member of the Beta Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Durham Civitans, serving on various committees at Calvary UMC, and she attended hundreds of Durham High School football and basketball games to cheer on the Bulldogs.

Mrs. Umstead is survived by her son, Kelly K. Umstead (Susan) of Durham; stepson, Steven Umstead (Lauren); grandchildren, Dr. Lindsey K. Umstead (Brad Joachim), Alex B. Umstead; step grandsons, Chad Umstead (Jessica) and Jeff Umstead; great-grandchildren, Rosie Joachim, Kayley Umstead, Julian Umstead, Aisling Umstead, Kaitlin Umstead, and Dakotah Umstead; niece, Nancy Currin (Terry); nephews, Banks Kelly, III (Jean) and Howard Banks Braswell (Josephine).

The Umstead family extends heartfelt gratitude to their dedicated caregiving team: Carol Denise Pitts; Irene Brooks and her compassionate team at No Place Like Home Senior Services in Garner, NC; Sandra Moore, Sheila Walker, Rachel Morasco, and the entire team at Eno Pointe Assisted Living; and to Betty’s faith community at Elizabeth Street United Methodist Church (formerly Calvary UMC).

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 West Main Street in Durham.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Brian Wingo and Pastor Laurie Hays Coffman. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.

Flowers are acceptable.

The Umstead family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Inc.