Betty Gene "BeGe" Bramley

Betty Gene “BeGe” Bramley Betty Gene (Smith) Bramley, affectionately known as BeGe, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025 at the age of 84 surrounded by loved ones. She was born in August, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland and lived in Riviera Beach until her family moved to Bethesda, Maryland when she was in high school. She adored her younger brothers, Ned and Jimmy. BeGe attended the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated with a B.A. in Education. She met her husband and the love of her life, Dick, one summer while working at the Army Navy Country Club. They were married in August of 1963 in the backyard of BeGe’s parent’s home. Over the course of their almost 46 year marriage, BeGe and Dick welcomed two children, Richard, Jr. and Laurie. Over the years their family grew with the addition of daughter in law, Denise Jordan, son-in-law, Rob, and six grandchildren: Brady, Jordan, Robert, Eric, Emma and Richard. BeGe was an elementary school teacher, a stay at home mom and a business owner. She and her brother, Ned, opened a print and copy business in downtown Honolulu. BeGe was a devoted owner/manager at The Copy Center/NuTech Imaging and enjoyed working alongside Ned, her children and her nephews, Smitty and Chris. She treated her employees and customers like family and never expected anyone to work harder than she. She often burned the midnight oil as she stayed late to make sure customers would have their jobs on time. BeGe also served on the Board of Directors for the March of Dimes in Honolulu, where she devoted countless hours to fundraising and organizing volunteers to create an amazing haunted house. In addition, she was active in the Honolulu Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni group. Over the years, Dick and BeGe maintained strong relationships with family, despite being geographically distant, and they made family out of friends. They never hesitated to seize the moment when an opportunity for an adventure arose, moving far from family to Hawaii in 1971, where they spent 25 glorious years. The Bramley house was said to have a revolving door, as Dick and BeGe welcomed family and friends to come visit and explore the Aloha State. BeGe was an expert “pupu” maker and entertainer and life was always an adventure (and a party) on Niumalu Loop! Dick had to coerce BeGe into leaving Hawaii and promised her a stop in Piedmont, California to help her reacclimate to life on the “mainland”. After a few years in California, Dick and BeGe retired to Wilmington, NC, where they built their dream home on the Intracoastal Waterway. BeGe spent several years caring for her mom, Laura, until her death. BeGe and Dick travelled extensively, driving across the country multiple times and taking many trips of a lifetime with family and friends to exotic overseas locations. They also wore a path into I-95 as they travelled frequently to Maryland and back to spend time with their four grandchildren there. BeGe and Dick were devoted grandparents and adored all of their grandchildren. In 2009, Dick tragically lost his multi-year battle with prostate cancer and BeGe was devastated. She truly lost her soul mate, and life was never the same for her. After Dick’s death, BeGe gave back to her community by serving as a dedicated volunteer at the hospital and she cherished the time spent with family and friends in Wilmington. In 2021, BeGe moved to Maryland to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law and four of her grandchildren. BeGe is united in death with her parents, her in-laws, her brothers, Ned and Jimmy, her brother-in- law, Michael Bramley and her beloved husband, Dick. BeGe always kept Dick waiting, and we’re sure that he has been patiently waiting for her to join him for all these years. BeGe is survived by her son, Rich, her daughter, Laurie, her son-in-law, Rob, and her six grandchildren, Brady, Jordan, Robert, Eric, Emma and Richard. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Barbara Smith (Ned) and Donna Smith (Jimmy), her brother-in-law, Jerry Bramley and his wife Zan, sisters-in-law, Sally Bramley (Michael), Anne Bramley Clements, Buddy Clements, brother-in-law Bob Bramley and his partner Felicia, Denise Jordan and many very loved nieces and nephews. BeGe’s beautiful smile and welcoming nature drew people to her. She was a friend to everyone she met. She was easy to talk to, genuinely interested in people’s stories, kind and caring, a devoted friend, and extraordinarily generous. She fiercely defended her principles and fought for what she thought was right. BeGe had her own special flair to everything she did. Her father was quoted as saying, “There’s the right way, the wrong way, and then there’s BeGe’s way.” And that’s the way BeGe lived her life - her way! BeGe and Dick’s ashes will be scattered together at a later date in Hawaii where they spent many wonderful years together and which held a large piece of each of their hearts. In honor of BeGe, take time to thank someone, do a good deed for a stranger or help someone in need and hug your loved ones with “two hands with enthusiasm”. In lieu of flowers, please honor BeGe by buying gifts for a child for the holidays, either through an Angel Tree donation or Toys for Tots.

Betty Gene "BeGe" Bramley

August 22, 1941 - November 17, 2025