Betty Smith Obituary

Betty Seigler Smith COLUMBIA, SC - Betty Seigler Smith went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 15, 2015. In recent years, Betty lived in Columbia near her children and grandchildren, but was a long-time resident of the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Betty was born in rural McCormick County, South Carolina, reared and baptized in Rehoboth Baptist Church in Plum Branch, and graduated from Edgefield High School. She was a 1948 graduate of the University of South Carolina, having double majored in English and Physical Education, and was part of the first graduating class of female P.E. majors at USC. She earned a Master's degree in Physical Education at Nashville's Peabody Teachers College (now part of Vanderbilt University) in 1951. Betty taught for 42 years in the public schools of Florence and Charleston Counties, with 29 of those years of service at R.B. Stall High School, where she was part of the original faculty and from which she retired in 1991. At Stall, Betty was affectionately known as the "Pigskin Poet" for her lyrical weekly prognostications of football victory. She received numerous teaching awards, and was recognized by the South Carolina House of Representatives upon retirement. Betty was born on January 25, 1927, the daughter of the late Robert David Seigler and Alberta Reynolds Seigler, both of Edgefield, South Carolina. She was also preceded in death by an unnamed twin, and by infant sisters, Evelyn and Margaret. Her other predeceased siblings are Tom, Hugh, Ansel, Joseph, Austin and Dorothy Seigler. Betty lost her dear husband of 52 years, Robert Franks Smith, in 2005. Betty is survived by her brother, Cecil Seigler, his wife, Carolyn, and their wonderful family. She is also survived by her son, Andrew G. Smith (Sarah), and their daughters, Eliza Joyce Smith and Marie Stewart Smith. Betty is also survived by her daughter, Dorothy A. Smith, a public school teacher, (Hal), and their children Robert Austin Hanlin and Daniel Joseph Hanlin. The family deeply thanks Betty's many helpers and caregivers over the years, especially the late Anell Williams of Cainhoy, South Carolina, and her gracious family, and more recently, Lizzie McFadden, the kind staff of Agape Trenholm Road, Gail Houser, Hilda Richardson, and the caring staff of the eighth and ninth floors of Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital, who have all been wonderful to Betty. The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 12:00 noon in the J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464 (843) 881-9293. The family will greet friends at the funeral chapel following the service. Burial will be private. The family requests that memorials be made to: Columbia Pastoral Counseling - Betty S. Smith Fund for Child and Adolescent Care, 600 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston