Bettie Mclaughlin

Bettie Haughton McLaughlin went to be with the Lord on August 14, 2022.

A native of Charlotte, N.C. Bettie was born on April 19, 1924. She was the eldest of four children born to the late Blanche Haughton and Alexander Andrews Haughton.

Bettie attended Charlotte city schools, graduated from Central High School in 1942, attended Converse College for two years, then graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1946.

Bettie married R. Theodore McLaughlin in 1947 and was married for 67 remarkable years. Bettie and Ted raised their two daughters, Susan and Patricia, in Charlotte.

While in Charlotte Bettie was an active member of Myers Park United Methodist Church, the Mint Museum, various women’s Bible studies, the Charlotte Junior League, the Charlotte Country Club, and the Charlotte Assembly Debutante Club. After having lived in Charlotte for 85 years, she and Ted moved to Durham, NC to The Forest at Duke.

Bettie had a sparkling sense of humor. She found her deepest delight in her family, her friends, Bible studies, and art. She gave to both of her daughters and their children a sense of safety and of being individually valued.

In the course of their lifetime, she and Ted established a sturdy, secure center out of which their family could grow. As years passed and became increasingly challenging for her, Bettie’s love and life in Christ deepened. The legacy Bettie and Ted leave their family is one of a lifelong commitment to marriage, to larger family, and to the Lord.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia McLaughlin Toher “Tricia” of Durham and Ray, son-in-law, son-in-law, Stephen Fitts, Jr. (Ouida) of Birmingham, Al; grandchildren, Alice Toher Doyal (Alex) of Chapel Hill, NC, Emily Toher Merryweather (James) of Durham, NC; Caroline Toher Daniels (Bryan) of Durham, NC, Stephen Noble Fitts (Rebekah) of Mobile, AL; Lucas Fitts (Leah) of Birmingham, AL, and Rebekah F. Gamotis (Robert)of Auburn, AL, her sister, Patricia Haughton McAlister (John) of Charlotte, NC. and eighteen great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband, R. Theodore McLaughlin, her brothers, Alexander Andrews Haughton, Jr., Gerald Lawrence Haughton both of Charlotte, and by her daughter, Susan McLaughlin Fitts of Tuscaloosa, AL

Her family is most grateful for the care and nurture she received at The Forest at Duke from the staff there.


Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Samaritan Health Center, PO Box 51339, Durham, NC 27717 or the Durham Rescue Mission, 1201 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701.


The McLaughlin family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.