Elizabeth Markley Stuart, "Betsey," of Portsmouth, died March 9, 2014. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Woodbury Markley and Chester Samuel Markley of Roanoke, Virginia. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, David Brakenridge Stuart, and her three children, David Stuart (Diana), Mary Leming and Faith McArdle. She is survived by her five brothers and sisters, Whitney Markley, Judith Baumgardner and Christopher Markley of Roanoke, Virginia, Priscilla Cook of Midlothian, Virginia and Susan Lenaeus of Carrollton, Georgia. In addition, she will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, David and Christopher Stuart, Elizabeth, Sarah, John and David Leming, Robert McArdle, and two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Blake Stuart.

Betsey graduated from Ward-Belmont College and also attended Roanoke College. In 1953 she married David Stuart and spent the first years of her marriage as an Army wife living in Ft. Knox, Kentucky and later at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Betsey always referred to her time as an Army wife as a great adventure. She and David returned to Roanoke before relocating to Portsmouth in 1964.

Betsey was a member of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, the Portsmouth Service League, the Elizabeth River Garden Club, and the Portsmouth General Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a 58 year member of the DAR and served as Regent of the Fort Nelson Chapter. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth for many years.

Betsey's kindness, love and empathy for others were evident in her daily life. Her greatest joy was her children and her beloved husband. Her smile and laughter always made everyone feel at ease and she loved meeting new people and treasured her friendships. She adored flowers and flower arranging and the annual arrival of her glorious peonies each spring was cause for celebration. She was a skilled seamstress and quilt maker and was the happiest working on a project in her sewing room.

Her family wishes to thank the staff of Mayfair House for their care, compassion and devotion to Betsey's care over the past several years, and also to Medi Hospice.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Friday, March 14 at 12:00 noon at Green Acres Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth conducted by the Reverend Walter Hunting, followed by a reception in the social hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's/Dementia Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502. A private committal service will be held at the Green Acres Presbyterian Church Columbarium at a later date. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth is handling the arrangements and condolences may be registered at bwfosterfuneralhome.com.