Bettis, Robert Edwin, 72 died on December 13, 2015 in New York where he worked for the New York Times. He was born in Shelby, NC on September 6, 1943 and was reared in Greensboro, NC where he graduated from Page High School. He was a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold Lee Bettis and Margaret Ford Bettis of Shelby and Greensboro. His brother, Harold Lee Bettis , Jr. (Linda) of Winston Salem, NC survives him along with his uncle Edwin Ford of Shelby, cousins, Clark Ford (Sherry) of Lenoir and Helen Ford Pack (Tommy) of Shelby.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date in Shelby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UNC School of Journalism."

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Robert Bettis

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com