Betty Holden Stike, 95, of Wilmington, died Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at home. Betty was born on August 15, 1918, in Bolivia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray L. Stike and 5 brothers: Massey T. Holden, Homer H. Holden, John F. Holden, Roderick H. Holden, Kemp R. Holden, and one sister, Margaret H. Duvall. She is survived by her son Dr. John R.Stike, of Wilmington, and his partner David DiMuro. Betty graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She received a Master of Education degree from East Carolina University and post graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. Her passion for education led Betty to teach in public schools for 24 years (Brunswick, Harnett, and New Hanover counties). She taught in the Watson School (now College) of Education at UNCW for 21and half years. The Betty Holden Stike Learning Lab is named in her honor. She helped charter the Student North Carolina Association for Educators on Campus and was a member of the National Educators Association, State and Local Educators and Retired personnel. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Women Educators where she held offices on the local, regional and State levels. She taught Extension classes for East Carolina University. As a wonderful Christian lady, Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Wilmington for 73 years, was elected the first woman deacon and served on the Board of Trustees and various other committees. She was a faithful member of the Dobson Sunday School class and the Woman's Missionary Union. She had served as Board member of several Baptist State Convention ministries, and was a loyal supporter of the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina. In honor of her missions spirit and faithfulness to the WMU of FBC, the Women on Mission group has been named in her honor: the Betty Stike Women on Mission. Her passion for missions led her to volunteer at Good Shepherd Ministries, At age 86 she was a part of a mission team to Chile, South America, for 2 weeks. She was a Trustee of the Holden Beach Chapel, in Holden Beach. Betty was an active member of the North Carolina Sorosis Woman's Club, holding the offices of President and Vice President as well as Chaplain on the District level. She was a member of Friends of UNCW, Cameron Art Museum, Oakdale Friends, Wilmington Symphony, Wilmington Concert Association, and Chamber Music Series. Funeral services will be held for Betty Holden Stike at First Baptist Church, 411 Market Street, Wilmington, on Monday June 30th with visitation in the church parlor at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.. Dr. Allen Laymon and Dr. James Everett will officiate. Pallbearers will be Alan, Lynn, Michael and Larry Holden, Eugene Evans and Jim Stike. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church. Private burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery approximately at 1:30 for family and close friends. Special thanks to the angels who have cared for Betty during the past 2 months: Millie Walton, Nesibe Wyant, and Olivia Gooden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty's memory to: Global Mission Fund, First Baptist Church, 411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401; Betty Holden Stike Scholarship Fund, UNCW office of Advancement, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28411-5990; and Wilmington Symphony Endowment fund %WSO, 4608 Cedar Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403. Published in the Wilmington Star-News on June 26, 2014.