RALEIGH – Betsy Young Justus passed away peacefully on July 9, 2011 at the age of 64 in her home after waging a courageous battle with cancer with her family by her side.

She was born on December 28, 1946 in Aulander, the daughter of Deborah Parker Young and Robert L. Young, Sr. who predeceased her. She attended Bertie High School and then East Carolina University where she graduated in 1967. In that same year she married Edward Dale Justus and moved to Rocky Mount where they started their family and she began her business career.

Betsy was a remarkable businesswoman and a pioneer in public leadership and entrepreneurial growth in North Carolina. Betsy was the first woman Chair of the State of North Carolina Employment Security Commission from 1987 – 1990 and went on to serve as the first woman Secretary for the NC Department of Revenue from 1990-1993.

In March 1993 Betsy was the inaugural founder and President of the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association (now NCTA) the State’s premier technology association. Under her leadership the association grew a membership base and public policy infrastructure that laid the foundation for the technology industry to grow and prosper in North Carolina. Later Betsy joined the executive team at Alphanumeric System where she served as Vice President and remained in that position until her death.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Dale Justus; her son, Bradford Scott Justus and daughter in-law, Amy; her grandsons, Grant and Matthew; and her brothers, Robert L. Young and Joseph J. Young.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 15, 2011 at Cary First Baptist Church, 218 South Academy Street Cary, NC 27511.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Memorial donations can be made to the Betsy Y. Justus NCTA Founder’s Scholarship, NCTA, 4020 Westchase Blvd., Ste. 350, Raleigh, NC 27607.