Betty Ann Taylor Killian

Betty Ann Taylor Killian, 95, of Columbia, SC passed away peacefully at Columbia Presbyterian Communities on September 28, 2023. Born in Enon, North Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Hiram Allison and Treva Norena Matthews Taylor. She attended Mars Hill College, received a Master of Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from Erskine University.

Betty married an ordained Baptist minister, the late William Harold Killian, in 1949, and graciously and enthusiastically embraced the calling of “Minister’s Wife”. She was an integral part of the ministry and leadership team at each church where they served, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and hosting an endless number of church functions. She also taught private piano lessons and was active in community organizations. Of particular note was her singing the leading role of Anna in a production of The King and I. Her gift of singing and ability to ‘hit the high notes’ was appreciated in church choirs and civic chorals wherever she lived.

She expressed her love for family, friends and neighbors through food; decorating and distributing homemade sugar cookies far and wide. She was passionate about long-distance swimming and studying and memorizing scripture and was the author of two books, Miraculous Moments and God at the Founding - A Guide to Praying for Our Country and Ourselves.

She is survived by four children: Gregory Taylor Killian (Lauren) of Hilton Head Island, SC; Janet Lynn Killian (Glover Little) of Hendersonville, NC; Pamela Ann Killian Phillips (Steve) of Columbia, SC; and Kathy Killian Noe (Bernie) of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren: Justin Wagner Killian, Mark Oliver Killian (Allison), Lydia Anne Killian, Patrick Gregory Killian, Zachary Rockwell Neill (Laura Herndon), Isaac Killian Neill (Heather Kim), Matthew Stephen Phillips (Emily), Melody Ann Phillips Watson (Corey), Kietrie Rebecca Noe Paramo (Yago), and Phoebe Killian Noe Hopper (Sean). A granddaughter, Robyn Allison Killian, predeceased her. She delighted so in her great grandchildren: Wren Killian, Yates Neill, Ford Neill, William Phillips, Henry Phillips, Anna Grace Watson, Yago Paramo, Jr., Sebastian Paramo, Pax Paramo, Violet Hopper and Finnias Hopper.

Also surviving is one sister, Rosemary Miller of Yadkinville, NC, a brother-in law, Rev. Phillip Tillman of Burlington, NC and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Sunday, October 1, at 3:00 pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Columbia with Rev. Stephen Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 – 2:50 pm at the same location. A graveside burial service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1901 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC at 11:00 am on Monday, October 2.

Memorials may be made to the music ministry at First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC, 29201 or Taylors First Baptist Church, 200 West Main Street, Taylors, SC 29687.

Dunbar Funeral Home (Devine) in Columbia, SC will be handling arrangements. An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.dunbarfunerals.com.