Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 23, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Elizabeth (Betty) Willis Kuester, 99, passed away at The Sharon of SouthPark on Sunday, June 23, 2024, with her devoted children by her bedside.  Betty was born November 15, 1924, in Bethlehem, PA to the late Albert J. Willis, and Kate Willis. 

The family moved to Clearfield, PA, where Betty graduated from High School in two years; then on to Carlisle, where she graduated from Dickinson College in three years, with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  As a child she wore a brace on her leg for ten years, yet still managed to become a cheerleader and a great dancer.  She also survived a flood, the Great Depression and WWII.

Betty met her husband of 58 years, Clarence O. Kuester, Jr., when she was a volunteer at the Army’s Carlisle Barracks.  Their long and happy marriage produced four children.  Betty and Clarence were supporters of the arts in Charlotte, and both had tenures as president of the Mint Museum Drama Guild.  They also supported Opera Carolina and The Charlotte Symphony.  They traveled extensively, including trips to Russia, Egypt, and most of Europe. 

When Clarence began a manufacturer’s rep business – Kuester Sales Co., Inc., in 1939, Betty helped him out one day – and never left.  75 years later, the family held her third retirement party!

Betty was a charter member of WIC – Women in Construction - during a time when very few women were in the construction industry.  She became the first woman to be named “Estimator of the Year” by the Professional Construction Estimators Assn.  She was also a charter member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Republican Women’s Club.  Most importantly, she was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir for 52 years, and nurtured the spiritual lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her four children, Kitty Cox and her husband, Elliott, Alan Kuester and his wife, Nora, Jane Taylor and Sally Shaw; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard (Dick) and Ralston Willis.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Covenant Presbyterian Church.  The family will greet friends in the Welcome Center following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Betty to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Attn: Music Program, 1000 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or Joe Martin ALS Foundation, 100 N. Tryon St., #3420, Charlotte, NC 28202 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.