Betty Billue Guignard's Obituary
Betty Billue Guignard, of Davidson, was born Betty Billue Bowers on February 4, 1926 in Miami and raised by Jordan Valentine Bowers and Carrie Spinks (Tommy) Bowers in Newland, North Carolina. After graduating from Montreat Jr. College, where she was crowned the May Queen, she attended UNC and graduated, a proud alumnus. She married Lewis B. Guignard of Banner's Elk, NC and they moved to Charlotte in 1949 because that is where she wanted to teach school. They built a house within walking distance of Wilson Junior and West Mecklenburg High Schools, because that is where she wanted their five children to get their education. For 50 years she and her husband Lewis lived life to the fullest; intense in everything they did. They were a pair, the Goyards they were called because they travelled so much. Betty Billue could have taught people a few things about living, and would, whether they wanted to listen or not. She had strong, forcefully stated opinions about everything, including her Carolina Tarheels basketball team. She called herself Blue for a reason. She was Mrs. G to many others, including the 200 plus piano students she taught over a lifetime. Music, especially the piano, was a major part of her life, a very great love. Betty enjoyed music of the classical style, along with church music. So in addition to teaching music, she became a regular church organist and pianist and occasionally choir director at her churches. And not just at church. Near Christmas, and just as likely any time of year, when the crowd finished eating at Betty's house she would take her place at the center of attention, on the piano bench, playing piano while directing everyone to join in singing. And the crowd came regularly to Betty's house in part because her cooking was her unique, gourmet home style. Like everything she did, her cooking reflected her own style and was not to be found anywhere but with her.
Betty Billue was a yellow-dog Democrat but it was more important to her that people vote than how they voted. Her standard question to the stranger was "Are you registered to vote?" If not she was apt to pull a registration card from her purse to remedy the situation. In any event a concerned chastising for not being registered would ensue. She wanted people to vote, to participate, be involved; know what is going on and do something about it was her mantra. She worked hard at everything she did and her hard work found her president of the Charlotte Democratic Women's Club when her children were young. They might not know the difference between the parties, but they would help stuff envelopes. Not having enough to do she was involved in the PTA and taught swimming at Suttle's Swimming Pool near her home on the west side of Mecklenburg County. She believed children should know how to swim. As in everything she did, she didn't just say something about it; she did something about it. When people were in need, you could depend on Betty Billue to show up, with moral support or dinner, whichever was called for. Betty Billue missed her husband of 50 years and it was time she did something about it: on October 12th she left to be with him.
She was a member of Covenant and Davidson United Methodist Church for over 40 years.
Betty Billue is survived by her brother Jordan Valentine Bowers and children; Charles S. Guignard of Huntersville, NC. Lewis B. Guignard, Jr. and wife Lynne of Bessemer City, NC, John F. Guignard and wife Karen of Harrisburg, NC, James V. Guignard and wife Barbara of Killeen, Tx, and Billue Guignard of Sarasota Fl, Her granddaughter Allison Pickett and husband John live in Concord with Betty's three great grandchildren Nathaniel, Tyler and Bradley Pickett. Grandchildren Lewis Guignard III lives in Durham, NC and Muriel Guignard lives in Clemson, SC.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Tommy Bowers Music Scholarship Fund, Campus Box 6105, Chapel Hill NC 27599.
The family welcomes you to join them for the celebration of her life at 3:30 P.M. 16 October 2011, Sunday at Davidson United Methodist Church. Visitation will follow at the church.
Samuel S. James, Funeral Service Lic. of Huntersville is serving the family. www.samuelsjamesfsl.com
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