Mrs. Betty Jean S Stanley

SHELBY N.C. – Betty Jean Stackhouse Stanley, surrounded by her family, passed into the loving arms of God on Friday, December 30, 2016, at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, North Carolina. Betty was born in Dillon, South Carolina, on March 1, 1928 to the late Joseph Herbert Stackhouse and Sarah Louise (nee Calais) Stackhouse Kuker. She grew up in Florence, South Carolina, and graduated from Florence High School in 1945. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Winthrop College in 1949 and began her career in Greenwood, South Carolina as a social worker for the Department of Welfare (now Department of Social Services). While working in Greenwood, Betty met George Alexander Stanley Jr., who was employed as an announcer by WFBC-Radio in Greenville, South Carolina. They were married at First Baptist Church in Florence on April 21, 1951, and remained married for 54 years, until George’s death in 2005. Betty continued her career as a social worker in Greenville at the Children’s Center. Betty and George also lived in Wilmington, North Carolina, Anniston, Alabama and Spartanburg, South Carolina, before relocating to Columbia in 1967, with George’s employer, Equifax, Inc., where he served as a southeastern area sales manager. Betty enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and active church and community volunteer. She served her church, Forest Lake Presbyterian, in a number of capacities and volunteered at her daughters’ schools. She also volunteered at Meals on Wheels for 16 years, delivering hot meals to shut-ins and visiting with them. Betty and George also participated in programs at the Shepherd Center, located at Trenholm Road Methodist Church, for many years. Betty enjoyed taking classes there and taking part in the Shepherd Center’s singing group, “The Bleatin’ Sheep,” which entertained at nursing homes, church meetings, and other functions. She was a member of the Daylily Garden Club, the Sandlappers Women’s Club, and several bridge groups. After George’s retirement from Equifax in 1990, he and Betty enjoyed extensive travel for nearly 15 years. Betty also enjoyed reading, decorating, gardening, and being with her grandchildren, in whom she took great delight. In addition to her parents and her husband, Betty was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Herbert Stackhouse, Jr., and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Elene “Betsy” Martin. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Mimi Louise Stanley Martin (Thomas) of Shelby, North Carolina, and Melissa Anne Stanley Port (Ronald) of Columbia; two grandchildren, Thomas Alexander Martin of Lincolnton, North Carolina and Alan Gregory Port of Columbia. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Janne Smith Stackhouse of Greenwood, Margaret Gettys Stanley Pyle of Waynesboro, Virginia, Sallie Kate “Kitty” Stanley Tanner Mescher of Garden City, and Jessie Stanley DuBard and Fred Fairey DuBard of Florence. She is also survived by her two nephews and one niece, William Brett Stackhouse (Kim), Lisa Renee Stackhouse Carroll (Earl), and Blake Steven Stackhouse, all of Greenwood; plus many nieces and nephews by marriage. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road in Columbia, conducted by the Reverend Dr. Ellen Skidmore, followed by refreshments and reception of friends in the fellowship hall. A family graveside service will take place at 2:30 p.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s memory to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206, the SPCA Humane Society, 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209 or to the organization of the donor’s choice.