Betty Jean Slusher

WEST COLUMBIA – On June 14, 2016, Ms. Betty Jean Stoudemire Slusher passed away, eleven days short of her 83rd birthday. Ms. Betty was a loving and devoted mother and friend to her children, other family members and friends. Ms. Betty was loved and respected by many in her community and state. She served on the Town Council in South Congaree in her younger years.

Ms. Betty was forced to bear heartache when her husband, Ralph Stoudemire, Sr. was brutally murdered in 1977 at his Soc Station in South Congaree, leaving a widow and four children. Ms. Betty, even in her pain, was determined that the killers of her husband would be brought to justice. That fight lasted twenty years.

On January 8, 1999 Ms. Betty became a “Palmetto Lady” by being awarded the “Order of the Palmetto” by former Governor David Beasley for her friendship to the people of the state of South Carolina. She was also recognized for her protection of the SC Bill of Rights. Ms. Betty was a true advocate for victim’s rights. She served on the board for the SC Victim’s Advocacy for Domestic Violence. She also became involved with helping other victims’ families by leading them through the court system, attending parole hearings, and in any other manner needed. Ms. Betty was awarded numerous awards by the State of SC pertaining to her volunteer work for victims and victim’s rights.

Ms. Betty was a successful small business woman and owner, as well as a long term employee of the K-Mart Corporation. She was recognized many times for her customer satisfaction.

Several years after her husband’s death, Ms. Betty met and married another wonderful man, Mr. Bruce Slusher. He truly loved her because he stood right by her side during all the struggles for Ralph and the other victims she fought for. This became a way of life for the two of them.

Ms. Betty was very well known by those at the State House and other public officials. She had a powerful voice that carried a long way toward righting wrongs.

Ms. Betty was also of Native American heritage. She was very proud of this. She did the research necessary to identify her tribe, “Beaver Creek Nation”. She brought that information to the attention of officials at the State House to have this tribe recognized by the state of SC. Her Indian name was “Voice of Thunderstorm”, very well deserved.

During her marriage to Ralph Stoudemire, they had four children, Sherill Duraski (Ed), Gerald Stoudemire (Peggy), Ralph Stoudemire (Bari) and Marion Stoudemire (Kim). Ms. Betty had an adopted son, B. J. Slusher (Brandy); two sisters, Ann Adams of Elloree and Vernelle Walling of St. Matthews; brother, Steve Walling of Orangeburg. She had, twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; friends, Margaret Boone and Valerie Lever and her loving companion and pet “Precious Slusher.” She was predeceased by her first husband, Ralph Stoudemire and second husband, Bruce Slusher.

Ms. Betty was a long time member of Ebenezer Pentecostal Holiness Church, 501 Church Street, West Columbia, SC 29172. Donations may be made to the church’s Mission Fund.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Ebenezer Pentecostal Holiness Church.