Obituary

Betty reed belden, 76, passed away at home on february 15, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A lifelong charleston resident, betty was born to dr. Thomas g. And margaret maddex reed on october 13, 1938.  she attended fernbank elementary school and then thomas jefferson junior high in downtown charleston – recalling walking down quarrier street with friends after school for milkshakes at the blossom dairy.

Betty graduated from the st. Catherine’s school in richmond, va.  and then bennett junior college in millbrook, new york.  thereafter, she was a 1960 graduate of the university of north carolina at chapel hill where she became a member of kappa kappa gamma sorority.  she became a unc basketball fan while there ““ often remembering tutoring players in english.

Betty lived and worked in new york city after college and for the ensuing eight years mainly teaching at the private school elementary level.  after marriage in 1962, betty and her husband, fred, moved to charleston in the late 60’s at which time she wanted to start a family.  after her two children were born and had started school, betty did some substitute teaching in the county school system for several years.

Thereafter her goals turned to raising the children, which was always a passion for her, and to fulfilling other interests.  she loved to needlepoint and to cook.  she enjoyed golfing.  she found butterflies and birds, particularly nesting bluebirds and feeding humming birds fascinating.  she loved gardening, flowers and particularly flower arranging as a part of garden club activities.  she was a member of briar hills garden club and of kanawha garden club the latter providing many hours that she found to be immensely enjoyable. She was very active on numerous committees in a leadership role serving as a past president.  she also received many awards, including a medal of merit from the garden club of america “for generously sharing with grace and thoroughness her outstanding leadership talents.”

betty was an active member of st. Matthews church. Among her many areas of involvement none was greater than her more than a quarter century as altar guild directress, which she dearly enjoyed.

Betty is survived by her husband of 52 years, frederick h. Belden, jr. ; son “derick” ( frederick h. Iii ) and his wife aimee and their two children, benjamin (14) and margaret (12) of birmingham , alabama; and daughter, mary annis belden read and her husband nicholas and their daughter louise (2) of mount pleasant, south carolina.  she is also survived by an older sister, margaret reed caylor of marble falls, texas.

An interment service will be held in the spring (betty’s favorite time of year) at st. Matthews church cemetery on norwood road.  memorial remembrances may be sent to st. Matthews.

You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com.

Barlow bonsall funeral home in conjunction with father john hagan will coordinate the arrangements.