Betty Jean Schronce

Betty Jean Rumfelt Schronce, 91, of Maiden, North Carolina, died peacefully on March 8, 2026 at The Greens at Hickory. Betty was born on September 9, 1934 to Ida Biddix and Andrew Rumfelt.

She grew up in Marion, North Carolina, and acquired a life-long spirit of determination and perseverance from her mother and a love of sewing and tending plants of all kinds from her paternal grandmother, Nancy Susanna Davis. In 1955, Betty married the love of her life, Glenn D. Schronce, to whom she was married for 61 years until Glenn’s death in 2016. Their son, Glenn D. Schronce, Jr. (“Don”), was the pride and joy of their life. Betty worked third-shift, six days a week at Cross Cotton Mill in Marion, North Carolina for decades. While working, she never failed to care for the three people she loved most – her husband, son, and mother. When her family grew to include her daughter-in-law, Donna Merkal Schronce, and granddaughters, Andrea and Mary, she showered those family members with love and affection, thoughtfully sewing hand-made clothes and acting as a constant source of support. Her life was a living example of sacrificial love, inspired by her devotion to her savior, Jesus Christ. From Betty, we learned to work hard to create the life you want; to worship God by admiring and tending his creation; to enjoy the simple joys in life; and to treasure those you love.

Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Don and Donna Schronce; two granddaughters and their husbands, Andrea and Matthew Sinclair and Mary and Dalton Fish; and four great-grandchildren, Warren Sinclair, Lucy Fish, Nora Fish, and Ella Fish.

A graveside service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00 am at Betty’s church home, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Maiden, North Carolina with Pastor Matthew Munday officiating. 

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Ayres family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.