Betty Hutchins Brim died peacefully, at home in Columbia, SC on May 8, 2022, Mothers’ Day, with her loving daughters Elizabeth and Martha at her bedside. She was the daughter of Odessa and Ralph Hutchins, born on December 6, 1926, in Columbus, Georgia, where she spent most of her life. That life was a full and happy one, enriched by her long marriage to Ed Brim, the nurturing of two artistic and accomplished daughters, the joy of grandchildren, and the comfort of enduring friendships. Notable among her many dear friends were Josephine French, with whom she traveled the world, and Melba Thomas, with whom she spoke almost every day. Other family members include her brother, Joel Hutchins and wife Dorothy, son-in-law, Ken May and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was gracious, generous, and self-effacing, but she had strong ideas about the proper way to do things, which she impressed upon her daughters and grandchildren, Elizabeth and William May. She had a fun-loving nature and a wry, gentle sense of humor that often came out in colorful stories of family, friends, and other characters, usually punctuated by a girlish chuckle. She loved beauty in art and nature, reading, travel, and “finery.” Most of all, she loved her family and was beloved by them as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt, and mother-in-law to generations of Hutchins, Brims, and Mays.
Betty was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Columbus, GA, where a memorial service will be held on Monday, May 16 at 11:00 AM with Dr. Jimmy Elder officiating. Burial to follow in Parkhill Cemetery. Flowers (which Betty loved) or offerings in her honor may be sent to First Baptist, Columbus. The family will receive visitors on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus, GA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Brim family.
