Betty Baker Reiter

Betty (Baker) Reiter was born in Durham, NC, October 16, 1943, and on September 22, 2024, her soul returned to the Lord from whom it came. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, which returned in 2016.

Betty graduated from Durham High School and Women’s College of UNC (now UNCG). At age 20, she was in the first group of female graduate students at Clemson, where she received an MS in mathematics. Later, she received an MS in Information (Computer) Sciences from the University of Hawaii, and at age 56, the Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. She taught mathematics and computer science at UNC Charlotte, Clemson University, University of Hawaii, CPCC, Winthrop University, Davidson College, and Richmond College in England. She retired in 2004, then devoting her time to family with great faithfulness, caring for aging relatives and others in need, as well as spending time with her grandchildren. In her last years, though homebound, she was faithful in praying for others and sending cards and other encouragement, while uncomplaining about her sickness and disability.

Family, travel, and mathematics were a major part of Harold’s and Betty’s lives. She actively supported her husband and daughter in many mathematical and other pursuits. She enjoyed travelling to all 50 states, more than 50 countries, all continents except Antarctica, and many islands. Many summers they returned to Hawaii for teaching opportunities and brought grandsons for their last visit; Betty cherished anthurium flowers in her window as reminders of fond times there. She also loved to watch the hummingbirds at a feeder outside. A family celebration of their 50th anniversary on Mackinac Island, MI was her last trip before illness restricted her travels.

Betty shared with her brother an interest in their family history; ancestors of all four grandparents were traced to their arrival in America during the 1600’s. Knowing about their lives influenced Betty toward love of God, family, America, education, and service. Betty’s great-great-grandparents are the oldest generation with marked graves in the Rigsbee family cemetery on the West Duke Campus of Duke University. Betty was a life-long Baptist and fourth-generation member of First Baptist Church Durham.

She is survived by Dr. Harold Reiter, her husband of 58 years; and their daughter, Dr. Ashley Reiter Ahlin with husband, Dr. Christian Robert Ahlin and their children, John Christian, Peter Rigsbee, Elizabeth Joy, and Sarah Grace Ahlin, of East Lansing, Michigan. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph Jackson Baker and Edna Carpenter Baker; and her brother, Jack R Baker.