KILL DEVIL HILLS — Betty Joe “BJ” East, 94, of Kill Devil Hills, NC passed away peacefully on December 9, 2023, at the Outer Banks Hospital, Nags Head, NC. BJ was born in Roanoke, VA on July 23, 1929, the daughter of Joseph Henry Murray and Margaret Beckwith Murray. In addition to her parents, BJ was predeceased by her loving and faithful husband, Ernest M. “Pete” East in 2021, her only sister, Margaret Murray “Peg” Mead in 2014 and her special niece and God-Daughter, Margaret Garland “Meg” Mead in 2012.
BJ was educated at Covington High School in Covington, VA, and received a business degree from National Business College in Roanoke, VA. BJ was employed as a Navy wife by the USMC in Arlington, VA, and was attached to the Marine Corp. Retirement & Separation Division and later at General Electric in Waynesboro, VA. She then volunteered for various organizations and retired from Valley Community Services working with handicapped infants from birth to age two.
More recently, BJ attended Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church. She was also an active and dedicated community volunteer and was a member of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association; the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club; the Outer Banks Anglers Club; and a past member of the First Flight Lions Club in Kill Devil Hills, NC where she resided.
BJ East is survived by two sons, Dale Roy East (Diane) of Eagle Rock, VA and Torrey Luck East (Trish) of Waynesboro, VA. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Andrew East, Leigh McNabb, and Alycia Bailey, two great grandsons, Easton McNabb and Asher Bailey; one great-granddaughter, Ella McNabb, and several nieces and nephews.
At her request, there will be no memorial services. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
