Betty Scott Kilgus

Betty Beatrice Scott Kilgus, age 91, died peacefully at her home on March 28, 2026.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11 AM at First Baptist Church in Bamberg, South Carolina, with burial to follow in Bamberg Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in the church fellowship hall from 5 to 7 PM.

Mrs. Kilgus was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina on April 25, 1934, the daughter of the late Pearl Ruby Lloyd Scott and the late James Henry "Jim" Scott. She attended Orangeburg City Schools and graduated from Bamberg High School in 1952. She was married to the late Carl Lane Kilgus, Sr. for 62 years prior to his passing in 2014.

A devoted wife, mother, and matriarch, Mrs. Kilgus raised five children while working side by side with her husband to build and operate Kilgus Printing Company. Together, they published newspapers serving many communities throughout the region, including The North Trade Journal, The Advertizer-Herald, The Santee Striper, The Bamberg Buyers Guide, and The Lake Community Marketplace. Their successful business employed hundreds of local residents over its 40 years of operation. In 1996, they sold the family business and retired.

Mrs. Kilgus was a dedicated public servant and philanthropist. She was an active member of the South Carolina Association of Registration and Election Officials (SCARE), where she served as Chairman of the Publicity Committee and editor of its newsletter. She also served as Chairman of the Bamberg County Voter Registration and Election Commission for nearly three decades. In 1997, she was honored as the recipient of the Waddy Thompson Citizen of the Year Award for Bamberg County. She was a longtime supporter of the Cheez and Cracker Box, the local food and clothing bank. In 2015, she gifted them their current building and also served as a volunteer in their food pantry. A faithful Christian, Betty was an active member of the First Baptist Church and the Robert Black Fellowship Class until the time of her death.

She is survived by her children, Carol Kilgus Durgan (Jerry, deceased) of Bamberg, Cynthia Lynn Kilgus (Dennis Jarrell) of Bamberg, Patricia Kilgus Tuten (Jerry) of Brunson, and James Fritz Kilgus (Tammie) of Mauldin.

Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Michael Kilgus (Nicole) of Branchville, Richard Kilgus of Columbus, GA; Kimberly Kilgus of Charleston, Kelly Durgan (Sandy) of Odell, TX, Amanda W. Reed (Derek) of Little River, Marianne W. Fletchinger (Clark) of New Orleans, LA, Jerome Tuten, Jr. (Deborah) of Varnville, Alan Tuten (Danielle) of Brunson, Loribeth T. Smith (Kyle) of Hampton, Taylor Massey (Yang Gao) of Greenville, and Rebekah K. Palash (Matthew) of Greenville.

Fifteen surviving great-grandchildren: Amelia Massey; Vivienne, Shay, and Camille Fletchinger; Anson and Ella Grace Cagle; Hudson Reed; William Turner, Nala, Presli, Evie Grace, and Lane Tuten; Lexi, Walt, and Emma Smith; Jessica D. Bradshaw (Brent) and Charla Durgan. Her great-great-grandchildren are Millie and Emily Stack; Aleeah, Sydney, Skylar, and Hunter Durgan; and Dakota Bradshaw.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Carl L. Kilgus, Jr.; her parents; two sisters, Euna Lee Scott Sweatman and Mary Scott; four brothers, James Henry Scott, Jr., Thomas Edward Scott, Alvin Alfred Scott, and Francis Raymond Scott; and one grandson, Kelly Durgan.

Frances Morris Wynn was a childhood friend with whom she enjoyed many fun adventures throughout her life.

The family would like to thank Sally Bair for her assistance as a devoted caretaker. Also, Amedisys Home Health and Hospice who helped provide her comfort at home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Bamberg, PO Box 355 Bamberg, SC 29003 or the Cheez and Cracker Box, PO Box 303, Bamberg, SC 29003.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at coonerfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cooner-Smith Funeral Home, 287 McGee St, Bamberg, SC 29003, (803)245-2828.