Betty Rose Stephens Hobbs, Holden Beach

Betty Rose Stephens Hobbs, 89, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 14, 2023, with her loving husband of 72 years, James Olen Hobbs, by her side. Betty Rose was born February 13, 1933, to the late Leroy Malcolm Stephens, Sr. and the late Myrtie Ward Stephens of Hallsboro, N.C. After graduating from Hallsboro High School in 1951, Betty Rose later received her degree from Miller-Motte Business School. Although recognized as the heart of their multi-generational family business on Holden Beach for many years, her greatest joy was steeped in the love of her Lord and Savior, her husband, and her family. Women in the community were blessed through the years by the annual prayer retreats hosted on the island by Betty Rose, and she could be found Tuesday mornings knelt at the altar of Sharon United Methodist Church for the women’s prayer time. Betty Rose was always eager to share her testimony of the miracle-working power of God, as she had personally experienced miraculous healings in her life. Her bold testimony for Jesus Christ helped plant many seeds of faith in those around her, and nothing made her happier than to see those faith journeys blossom, just like the lovely flowers she so loved. Not only was Mama Betty known for making the best pound cake ever, friends and family fondly recall the many years she sang in the choir with her face lifted to Heaven as she sang praises to His Name! Her infectious laugh, heartfelt testimony, and steadfast prayers are part of what we’ll miss the most.

In addition to her parents, Betty Rose was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Malcolm (Mac) Stephens of Hallsboro, and Charles Stancil Stephens of Cullowhee, N.C.; and her daughter-in-law, Robin Parker Hobbs. Surviving family members include her children: Jimmy and Rachele Hobbs of Holden Beach; Sonya and Wayne Batten of Lake Waccamaw, N.C.; Ronald Hobbs of Lake Waccamaw; and Michael and Joy Hobbs of Holden Beach. Also surviving are her 10 grandchildren: Ashley Dawn Batten (Eric), Tiffany Rachele Hobbs Wilson (Nicholas), Brandon Wayne Batten (Jessa), James S. Hobbs II, Brittany Lynn Batten Canady (Rob), Bethany Rose Hobbs Smith (Jon), Joshua Olen-Garrett Hobbs (Brooke), Augusta Bettee Hobbs Caison (Troy), Hannah Lynn Hobbs, and Madeline Lee Hobbs Hewett (Cooper), as well as 19 great- grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Judy Stephens of Hallsboro and Penny Stephens Graham of Sylva, N.C., as well as a host of nieces and nephews. A family visitation was held January 18. Family visitation was held January 19, followed by the Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating the life of Betty Rose Hobbs and glorifying her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ officiated by Rev. Eddie Hill and Rev. Jim Pegan.