Singleton and Related Genealogy Pages
A history of many families.
1929 - 2012 (83 years)| Name | Betty Anne BROWN [1, 2, 3] | |
| Birth | 1929 | Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina  [2] |
| Gender | Female | |
| HIST | Betty Truesdale 1929 - 2012 Randy Burns Special to The Item BISHOPVILLE — Lee County is mourning the loss of one of its most loved and respected residents. Lee County native Betty Truesdale, 82, died early Monday morning at McCoy Nursing Home after an extended illness. The wife of former Lee County Sheriff Liston Truesdale, Betty Truesdale made her presence known in the community as a school librarian, photographer and historian. Liston, who was sheriff of Lee County for 19 years, said it was a pleasure to be known as Betty Truesdale's husband. "She had so many people who loved her," Liston said. "It is really unbelievable, and she loved everybody." After Liston's retirement 20 years ago, the Truesdales became known in Lee County for their work as photographers. They were in constant demand at weddings, parties, receptions and banquets. Liston said the best decision he ever made was marrying the former Betty Brown in 1951. "I didn't go anywhere without Betty," he said. "She was not only my wife, she was my best friend. She was my arms and legs, and she was my eyes, too. I don't know what I'm going to do. I depended on her for everything." The Truesdales didn't have children of their own, but hundreds of former students "stood in a long line" to be known as one of her children. Betty Truesdale was a librarian at Central High School, Ashwood Central High School and Bishopville High School for more than 40 years. She was a librarian in Bennettsville when she learned of an opening as a basketball coach at Central High School. "This was before Ashwood and Central consolidated," the sheriff said. "They only had a few teachers at Central, but they needed somebody to coach, and that's how she got into Lee County." Betty's girls team won the county championship in 1952, defeating Lynchburg, Bishopville, Ashwood and Mayesville, he said. A member of the Lee County Historical Society, Betty was co-author of "Lee County South Carolina, Past and Present." Cheryl Austin Skinner said she grew up across the street from the Truesdales and is proud that Betty always called her an adopted daughter. "She was always there for you, and she cared so much about people," Skinner said. "She made everybody feel important." Willene Smith, whose late husband, Gordon Smith, was Truesdale's first cousin, spent a lot of time in recent weeks with Betty at the nursing home. "When people visited her, she made everyone feel so special," Smith said. "She would tell everybody, 'Now you come back and visit me. You promise?'" Lee County Administrator Alan Watkins said Betty was known for "being sweet," but she was also a professional who had a "feisty side." "I know of students who would dodge Betty Truesdale for years after they graduated," Watkins said. "They would say that if they saw her on Main Street, she would stop and tell them how much money they owed the school for a book they didn't return on time. She never forgot." Liston Truesdale said his favorite school story goes back to his wife's time as librarian at Ashwood-Central High School. "Somebody had stolen some money from the library," he said. "She found out who it was and was told that he was in the boy's restroom. Well, she went into the restroom, and dragged him out of there." Liston said doctors told him they had never seen anyone with her "attitude." "They talked about how positive she was," Liston said. A member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Betty was known as a devout Christian who put others ahead of herself, he added. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. — Randy Burns Posted in Local news, News on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 [1] | |
| _UID | 67BF3DE5E4684A72BC4C67DAFE3DA169DEA0 | |
| Death | 30 Jan 2012 | McCoy Nursing Home, Bishopville, South Carolina [1] |
| Burial | 1 Feb 2012 | Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina [2] |
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| Person ID | I202566 | Singleton and Related Families |
| Last Modified | 9 Aug 2015 | |
| Father | Gene BROWN, Sr. d. Bef 30 Jan 2012 | |
| Mother | Edna KING d. Bef 30 Jan 2012 | |
| _UID | 44A48B2F0E5F4EE991657A291C48A12C107D | |
| _UID | 44A48B2F0E5F4EE991657A291C48A12C107D | |
| Family ID | F185308 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family | Sheriff Luther Liston “Liston” TRUESDALE, b. 1929, Lee County, South Carolina d. 7 Aug 2015 (Age 86 years) | |
| Marriage | 1951 [1] | |
| _UID | E92C0017D92F488AA67B42DC243BD050C4C0 | |
| _UID | E92C0017D92F488AA67B42DC243BD050C4C0 | |
| Family ID | F185307 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified | 3 Feb 2012 | |
| Sources |
