Elizabeth Mary Hager Lea

Born in Watervliet, New York, Betty graduated in 1939 from Catholic High School in Troy, New York. Following her marriage to F. Joseph Hager in 1941, she worked for the Watervliet Arsenal during WWII faithfully serving the United States. After the war, she worked for the New York State Department of Agriculture as an administrative assistant. Upon retirement in 1974, she and her husband relocated to Mauldin, SC to be closer to family.

In her later years, she was an avid square dancer, enjoyed reading, watching the waves at the beach, and being a “mother” to her pets. In addition to her parents and her first husband, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Leo and William, and her second husband, Leonard Lea.

Betty is survived by loved ones: son, Francis (Frank) Hager and his wife Sarah (Sally) of Pelzer, SC; daughter, Nancy Hager Hill and her husband Raymond of Mauldin; and granddaughters Nicole Hill (Michael) Painter of Greenville; and Tara R. Hill of Atlanta, GA; and three great grandchildren, Lauren R. Painter, Ryan A. Painter, and Nathan A. Painter, all of Greenville.

A private burial will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kindred Hospice at 15 Brendan Way #100, Greenville, SC 29615. Online memorials may be made at www.mackeycenturydrive.com.