Vera Rebecca Williams Rylance

Columbia: Vera "Betty" Rebecca Williams Rylance, 88, of Columbia, SC died peacefully on Sunday, April 22, 2012 surrounded by her children.

Born in Lykesland, SC on November 27, 1923, Betty Rylance was the daughter of the late Elma (formerly Williams) Shealy and Hollis Shealy who preceded her in death as did her siblings Herbert "Trot" Williams of Columbia; Jackie Langdale of Valdosta, Georgia; Sybil Revere of Columbia; and Sam P. Williams of Columbia. Betty attended Sarah Burnside Elementary and Lower Richland High School and received her BA from the University of South Carolina in 1945. She went on to teach elementary school for several years in Arizona where she met her beloved husband George Austin Rylance (1918-1982), of Bisbee, Arizona, veteran of World War II and former US Foreign Service officer. Betty and George enjoyed 34 wonderful years of marriage as they traveled the world making their home in various countries abroad. Throughout these years, Betty and George always maintained deep roots in Columbia and retired here in 1981.

A fiercely independent woman of great style and substance, Betty was an avid traveler, golfer, and bridge player; she had a great love for dinners and parties where she could be counted upon to light up the scene with her sharp wit. In 2007, Betty moved to Wildewood Downs Retirement Community where she made deep and lasting friendships as well as becoming an active community member-as a competitive putter, life-long bridge player, and loyal book club member.

Survivors include her four daughters, Mary Rebecca Rylance of Caballo, New Mexico; Hollice Rylance and her son Austin Warriner of Sebastopol, California; Constance Rylance and her son Jonathan Simo, of Stanford, California; and Teresa Rylance Foley and her husband Michael Foley, daughter Kelly Rebecca and son Ryan of Potomac Falls, Virginia. Nearest and dearest family members in Columbia include her beloved sister-in-law Betty Williams; her precious nephews and nieces, Sam P. Williams Jr. and wife Wanda, Chris Williams and wife Pam, and David Williams and wife Darlene of Greenville, SC. Also in Columbia are Ray Williams Horn, Robin Revere, Holly Revere Monroe and husband Barry Monroe, and Bob Revere. Remaining nieces and nephews include Bill Langdale and wife Beverly; Bob Langdale and wife Sybil; and Lyn Langdale Dickey and husband Marvin Dickey of Valdosta, Georgia; Dale Revere of Florida; and Matt Williams of Winston-Salem, NC. Her Arizona nephews included Phillip Rylance of Bisbee; and Larry Rylance and wife Jackie. Betty loved her numerous grand and great nieces and nephews.

The family held a private graveside service on April 25th, 11:00 am at Mill Creek Cemetery. The Rev. Shay Long of Mill Creek United Methodist Church presided. Arrangements will be announced for a celebration of Betty’s life to be held this summer in Columbia. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Palmetto Health Hospice, PO Box 7275, Columbia SC 29202; or the Alzheimer's Association, 2999 Sunset Blvd., W. Columbia, SC 29169.

ShivesFuneralHome.com

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