Betty Jane Howie

Betty Howie

Betty Jane Shirley Howie died Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Westminster Towers in Rock Hill, S.C. She was 85. One of three children born to Thomas Aurie Shirley and Genevieve Sharpe Shirley, she is survived by a brother, Robert James Shirley and his wife Thrace of Seabrook, S.C. and five children: Lynda Lovelace and husband Wayne of Columbia, S.C., Ann and Gary Hood of Rock Hill, S.C., Jenny and Steve Simmons of Fort Mill, S.C., Sam Howie of Spartanburg, S.C., and Marc and Leslie Howie of Fort Mill. She was especially proud of her eight grandchildren: Harper Lovelace and his wife Jessica of Columbia, Clay and Staci Lovelace of Columbia, Chris Hood of Rock Hill, Austin Hood of Rock Hill, Mason Simmons of Fort Mill, Annie Howie of Fort Mill, Phoebe Jane Howie of Fort Mill, Jed Howie of Spartanburg, and her new great-grandchild, Cannon Lovelace of Columbia.
Mrs. Howie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Henry Sanford Howie, Jr., her parents, and her brother Tom Shirley. She attended Greenville High School, Furman University, and received a Bachelor of Education degree from Winthrop University. She taught second grade in York, S.C. and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in York. An avid bridge player, she participated in many community activities, including her membership in The Thursday Afternoon Book Club in York. She also influenced, nurtured, and supported many children at York Place, the Episcopal Church Home for Children, where her husband was executive director for 32 years.
The funeral will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in York at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. The family will receive friends after the service in the church's parish hall. A reception will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Westminster Towers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in York, Westminster Fund for Employees Assisting Employees at Westminister Towers in Rock Hill, York Place in York, or to a charity of their choice.
Bratton Funeral Home in York is serving the Howie family.