Mary "Betty" Elizabeth Nantz
Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nantz, 80, of Salem, Va. passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Our mother, or as she liked to be called by her grandkids, Gigi (Groovy Grandma), left us and died peacefully surrounded by family at the Lewis Gale hospital in Salem, Va. Gigi lived a full 80 years of life, and her legacy survives in her kids and grandkids and family members that grew to love her and know her. For the first twenty years of my (Pete) life, my mom was the glue who held this family together through difficult times. We remember her wit and her sense of humor among many other attributes. She loved her Pinot and her QVC/Home Shopping Network. She had recently become fond of card games and found fun with her circle of new friends playing in the evenings. She had recently lost her husband, Papa Harold, who hung the moon with her. My mom enjoyed cooking; her style certainly embraced her country roots but at times had a little international flair. I remember the time as a kid when she tried to feed us frog legs and told us it was chicken. Gigi grew up in Kannapolis N.C. living in a house that didn't have indoor plumbing until she was 13. A mill town girl who grew into quite the urban lady, mom raised three boys who have traveled the world. She spent many years with Sun Trust Bank in Roanoke and made lifelong friends there. She developed enduring relationships with the spouses of her children who certainly became her family as well. Her grandkids were the joy of her life. Some so many things and memories could be shared here but suffice it to say that everybody's moms are special, but to us, Gigi was one of a kind. We will miss her greatly.
She was born on Sunday, October 10, 1943, in Kannapolis, N.C. to the late Hubert R. Bost and Pauline Bowles Bost. In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 30-plus years, Harold Jay Nantz.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Pete McKnight (Danielle) of Charlotte, N.C., John McKnight (Susan)of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Andrew McKnight (Jennifer O’Donald) of Landenberg, Pa.; step-children, Ponza Atkins (Mark), Paige Johnston, Patricia Bower (David), Penni Lawrence Riley (Delmer); grandchildren, Anna, Colby, Harman, Charlotte, Delilah, Rhys, David; step-grandchildren, Alana Albert O'Donald, Lily Hopkins, Mia Hopkins, Chloe Hopkins, Alex Whittenberger, Clara Ortega (Gilbert), Matthew “Sparky” Atkinson, Jeb Stuart Johnston (Sarah), Samantha Johnston, Lt. Colonel Kyle Johnston (Becky), Dr. Wrenn Brendel (Alex), Seth Riley, Drew Bowers (Liz), Kelly Bowers; siblings, Gail Ausbeck (Paul), Ronald Bost (Nancy), David Bost (Cheryl), Jan Anderson (Joel); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
