Beverley Bushong Getzen

           WADESBORO – On Saturday, August 26, 2023, Mrs. Beverley Bushong Getzen, 81, passed from this life to the next to join her beloved husband, Rufus and other loved ones after having a beautiful life here.

            There will be a memorial service at 5:00 PM Thursday, August 31, 2023, in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with a reception following.

            The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home Thursday.

            Beverley was born June 1, 1942, in Roanoke, VA and was the oldest child of James Woodrow Bushong and Cecilia Dicima Collins Bushong. Following the birth of her younger brother and sister, twins, Jim and Pat, she went to live with her grandmother who was a very integral part of her upbringing. Beverley was proud of her heritage and the fact that she came from a long lineage of independent women.

            She graduated from William Byrd High School and graduated from both Hollins College and Virginia Tech, earning to her credit three bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees.

            Beverley’s first job was with the United States Geological Service, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Rufus. The couple was married 30 days following their first date as Rufus was going to be moving and, in his words, he said to Bev, “this train is getting ready to leave the station, are you getting on board?”. It was then as said in the fairy tales they lived happily ever after.

            She then went to work with the Army Corps of Engineers, where after a 30 plus year career, retiring as Chief Environmental Officer. During her career, she traveled and worked many places, and her retirement was while she worked at the United States Pentagon. On her retirement, she was presented a flag which was flown in her honor over the United Staes Capital. Her civilian rank in the military was that of Brigadier General and it was ironic that Bev made her career telling General’s no many times.

            Rufus and Beverly, in retirement years, chose to move to Wadesboro to help support their family. They both became very active members of the community and have made a lasting impact and contributions to Wadesboro and Anson County as a whole.

            She was a very active member of the Wadesboro Civitan Club, Anson Women’s League, Anson County Arts Council, Friends of the Hampton B. Allen Library, Anson Writer’s Club, and Wadesboro Garden Club. She was also a member of the Classy Ladie’s Red Hat Club and was a strong supporter of the Ansonia Theatre, the annual Carolina Writer’s Conference, which took place in Wadesboro, brining many authors, poets and journalist to Anson County.

            Realizing the importance of education, she and Rufus were supporters and encouragers of the Anson County Schools Robotics Club and South Piedmont Community College. They were instrumental in creating scholarships at the community college and often made contributions to assist in other ways at SPCC.

            Beverley was a lover of animals and was a vital part of the opening of the Anson County Animal Shelter.

            She had many dear friends all over the country who will miss her animated tales and stories, not to forget, the occasional controversial political discussions too.

            Although Bev had no children of her own, she dearly loved her feline children, Keri and Pete.

            She leaves behind her nieces, Kim and husband, Sammy and Kris; her great-nephews, Kole and Kalen; her brother-in-law, Phil and wife, SinCha; her sister-in-law, Catherine and their families, along with many cousins and dear friends.

            In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus, brother, Jim, sister, Pat her nephew, Kevin and her brother-in-law, Larry.

            Beverley often said we all come from the stars and to the stars we will return. Her family is comforted in knowing she has joined many bright stars to continue to keep a watchful eye over them and knowing her, she might just be a shooting star!

            The family suggests memorials be made to the Anson County Arts Council, P.O. Box 332, Wadesboro, NC 28170 or to South Piedmont Community College James W. Bushong Scholarship and Rufus T. Getzen Scholarship, c/o Ashley M. Furr, P.O. Box 126, Polkton, NC 28135.

            The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com