Elizabeth Brabson

1954 - 2023

Elizabeth Brabson

May 6, 1954 - October 7, 2023

Georgetown, South Carolina - Elizabeth Newman Brabson

May 6, 1954- October 7, 2023

Elizabeth Newman Brabson, Betsy, of Georgetown, SC passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023 after a 5 year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 69.

Betsy was born and grew up in Charlotte, the oldest child of Helen and Wallace Newman, and attended Myers Park High School, St. Mary's School and UNC-CH where she graduated with an art degree. She was a proud member of Pi Phi sorority, and at each of these stops along the way, she forged friendships that would last a lifetime. She loved the beach, spent her summers working in Pawleys Island, so it was only natural that she would one day become a permanent resident. And in 1990, the family moved to DeBordieu, and she never looked back.

She quickly put her art talents to work with screen printed T shirts that showcased her personalized low country scenes and wildlife, and it always brought a smile to her face when she saw people wearing them from Myrtle Beach to Mt Pleasant and beyond.

But a chance encounter on the beach in July '91 exposed her to loggerhead sea turtles and the many obstacles the species faced. She immediately volunteered, and 2 years later found herself in charge of 5 miles of beach. Over the next 30 years, she assembled and trained a family of volunteers that were just as passionate as she was, and because of their efforts, and those up and down the coast, the turtle population is steadily improving. She also became a fierce advocate for the environment, and stepping out of her comfort zone, headed up a multi agency state and federal task force to rid the beaches of invasive plants. When asked about her credentials, she would simply reply "I'm just an art major from Chapel Hill, trying to make a difference"

She will be remembered as a beautiful soul, as pretty on the inside as she was on the outside, always a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She is survived by her husband, Bill, of 43 years, her son, Wylie of Mooresville, NC; her daughter, Tyler of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and her two brothers, both of Charlotte, Wallace (Jo) and Compie (Catherine).

A Funeral Service will be held at Prince George Winyah Church in Georgetown on October 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM with a Celebration of her Life to follow on the waterfront at the Georgetown Maritime Museum. PREFERRED ATTIRE IS A BETSY "T SHIRT" In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sea Turtle Rescue, in care of SC Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401 or Saint Mary's School Class of 1974 Endowed Scholarship Fund, in care of Saint Mary's School, 900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603