Elizabeth Werth Oakman

Columbia – Elizabeth Werth Oakman died at Prisma Richland Hospital in Columbia on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at age 84. She was born on June 20, 1940, in Dayton, OH, to Harley L. Werth and Martha E. Werth and was known throughout her life as “Betsy”. She grew up in West Carrolton, OH, and graduated from West Carrolton High School in 1958. She graduated from Otterbein College in 1962 and completed work towards her Ph.D. in Sociology at Indiana University, the first woman in her family to pursue graduate studies. While at Indiana she met her husband Robert Lee “Bob” Oakman III – they married in 1968 and remained together until his death in February 2020. Betsy returned to her sociology studies later in life and graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, publishing her dissertation in 2000.

Betsy moved to Columbia in 1968 when Bob was hired at the University of South Carolina, and quickly formed strong connections with the large cohort of other new professors and their families, relationships that shaped her life and in many cases have endured to the present day. Betsy was a beautiful writer and strong editor, and her quiet strength, independence, keen intellect, and head for activism will be remembered by all who knew her. She was also unfailingly kind and thoughtful, and formed deep and lasting bonds of friendship.

Betsy gave birth to sons Jonathan and Jeffrey in 1976, and she reveled in being a mother of twins. When her sons got older, she returned to work, making a career in state government and, in particular, at the Legislative Audit Council. This work reflected more broadly her belief in the importance of democracy and good government, which also showed in her long-time membership and leadership in the SC League of Women Voters.

Betsy loved to see the world, and enjoyed living abroad in Great Britain in 1981 and Germany in 1988-1989 during Bob’s sabbaticals. In her retirement she traveled extensively, including a particularly special 50th anniversary trip to South Africa with Bob and a subsequent return there with her children and grandchildren last year. She was a devotee of Gamecock sports, especially the women’s basketball team, which she was able to see play in the Final Four in Dallas in 2023.

She is survived by her sons Jonathan (Ellie) of Charleston, SC, and Jeffrey (Tara) of Princeton, NJ, and grandchildren Jack, Maggie, Miles, and Haley; and niece Marty (Mark) Borckardt. She was predeceased by her husband Bob, her parents, and her brothers John and Harold.

A remembrance event will be held in Columbia on October 5, 2024. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family, and can provide details on the remembrance event.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Betsy’s memory to the Nature Conservancy by visiting preserve.nature.org, calling (800) 628-6860, or mailing “Attn: Treasury” to 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203; or to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America by mailing to PO Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090.