Born on April 7, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Morgan Sabb Cantey and Elizabeth Ann Acree Cantey. Beth was a beloved foster child of Hugh Ellsworth Steele and Carolyn Skinner Steele.

Beth was a graduate of West Point High School in West Point, Ga., the University of Georgia and California State University. After moving to Chapel Hill with her husband in 1997 she worked as a real estate broker with Fonville Morisey.

She was an amazing woman whose life radiated an abundance of God's gifts. She focused on the concerns of others. She loved her Lord and wanted her life to reflect Christ's love for others.

Beth fought a valiant battle against ovarian cancer. On a visit to South Africa in 2007, she was moved to start a school there for children whose parents had died of AIDS. In January 2010 the first classes will open at Mukhanyo Christian Academy in South Africa.

Beth is survived by her husband, Ed Rettig of Chapel Hill; daughter Kelli Lewis and her husband, Derek Lewis; son Austin Rettig; grandchildren Morgan, Sarah and Jacob Lewis; sisters Ann Payne, Claudia Martin and Angel Steele; and brothers Morgan Cantey and Jeff Steele.

Memorial services will be held Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3741 Garrett Road, Durham. Interment will follow.

The family will receive guests on Oct. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St., Durham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Friends of Mukhanyo for Mukhanyo Christian Academy and sent to Jennifer Stenner, c/o Fonville Morisey, 1520 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Online memorials may be made at www.hallwynne.com.