Rowena Betts

Rowena Gunby DuBose Betts WEST COLUMBIA Rowena Gunby DuBose Betts ("Boo"), 89, of West Columbia, died August 11, 2017. Born July 14, 1928, in Columbus, GA, she was the daughter of the late Walter Howard and Louise Jones DuBose. She attended Dreher High School and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1950 with a BA degree in Fine Arts. In 1952 she was married to Erskine Dendy Betts of Columbia. Rowena was employed at various times as an instructor at the Foster School of Dance, the Richland County Public Library, and Bruccoli Clark Layman Publishers. She was a member and Elder of Congaree Presbyterian Church in Cayce. Rowena was predeceased by her husband, Erskine D. Betts, in 1979. She is survived by her daughters, Ellen (Blakeney) and Mary Hilyer (Marty), both of Lexington, SC, and Rowena Brockman (Russell) of Fletcher, NC, and beloved grandchildren, Tommy Lee Cannon (Annamarie) and Lauren Louise Nycum (Chris), both of Hendersonville, NC, Russell Clark Brockman, Jr., of Lake Charles, LA, Judith Violet Brockman of Fletcher, NC, Julia Elizabeth Long of Columbia, and Daniel James Hilyer of Lexington. Also surviving are her nephews, David Betts (Catherine) of Pittsboro, NC, and Erskine M. Betts (Mary) of Apex, NC, and their children, and in St. Louis, MO, her brother-in-law, Robert M. Betts, and his daughter, Catherine. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Lexington Medical Center, Opus Post-Acute Rehabilitation, MSA Home Health and Hospice, Always Best Care Senior Services, and the Carroll Campbell Place for their unfailing, gentle care of their mother and support to the family. A graveside service led by the Reverend John White will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2017. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the Elmwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC; the Humane Society; or to the charity of their choice. Elmwood Funeral Home and Cremation is assisting the family with arrangements. www.elmwoodfhcolumbia.com.