Editor’s Note: In all of my years of writing profiles for the Hall of Fame book…Nothing conveys to the membership the kind of person we are honoring as well as her background…written in her own words
Vera: I’m not sure what you want or need, but here goes…..
I was raised in Camden, SC and graduated from Camden High School in 1942. I attended the University of South Carolina for 2 years – (I felt the need of a college degree so I transferred to Converse). I was first introduced to bowling here. Can you believe a gym class – This was the start of a long association with bowling.
I graduated from Converse with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry. Lacking any real direction I became a teacher for 2 years. One year in NC and one in SC (I still bowled as one of my favorite recreations).
In 1949 I gave up teaching (My contribution to better education for NC and SC) and went to laboratory technology school at Emory University in Decatur, GA. Finished the school and went to work in the Chemistry Department (Can you beieve I headed the department)?
Met Stuart during this time and we were married in March 1950. (Best deal I ever made. I supported him at Auburn from March through June and he has supported me ever since).
When Stuart graduated from Veterinary School we went to Columbus, Georgia for a year. Stuart was the veterinarian for a Chinchilla Ranch. (Chinchillas are beautiful – but mean little beasts.)
We moved to Sumter in 1951 (We are almost considered natives now). I went to work at Tuomey Hospital for several years – then the children started coming. We have four – three boys and one girl. We have three grand children – tow boys and a girl. Our oldest son is a veterinarian like his father. Our second son is a chiropractic. Our third son is a master mechanic and our daughter is a wife – Mother and college student. The two oldest sons live outside of Atlanta. The third son in Sumter and our daughter in Charleston, SC.
Since moving to Sumter I have participated in many things – I have been a president of the P.T.A., on the advisory board of the middle and high school, a member and president of the Junior Welfare League. Active in the SC Walking Horse Association, a Four-H leader for about 15 years, a member and President of the Sumter league of Women Voters, an ex-member of the Piolet Club, on the County Board of the Planning Commission, member of the Clemson Extension Board for many Sumter projects, member of the Y.W.C.A. Board of Directors (Chaired our committee for our “Teen Pregnancy” program and our Spouse Abuse Program). I have been a member of and Chairperson of Sumter County Board of Education 5 years, a member of and chairperson of our Sumter County Election Commission for 10 years, a founding member and moderator of “The Forum”, an organization of Sumter’s leading business and professional women.
I was a member of Sumter’s most unique riding groups “The Posse Cats” from 1986 until Hugo put us out of the Horse Business.
I started league bowling in Sumter about 1963. I was a director of our association for several years and President for about 12 years. I was elected to the S.C.W.B.A. and have served on most of the standing committees as member and chairperson of said committees.
Bowling and bowlers have always been one of the continuing activities and interest of my life.
Editor: Betty has a career high game of 254 and high series of 590. Her highest season average was 165. She has bowled in 30 Championship Tournaments and three senior tournaments. In addition, she served as a delegate to the S.C.W.B.A. from her local association 8 years.
Betty adds a lot of qualifications and character to our S.C.W.B.A. Hall of Fame.
