Bettis (Chase) Howard

Natalie Bettis Chase Howard of Darlington, SC died Monday, October 25, 2021 following an illness. Bettis was born April 8, 1941 in Florence, SC to Natalie Lucas Chase and Maitland Soutter Chase, Jr. She was the granddaughter of Simons Ravenel Lucas, MD and Natalie Bettis Lucas of Florence and Maitland Soutter Chase and Gertrude Jennings Chase of Sumter.  She graduated from McClenaghan High School and attended Columbia College.

Bettis was first and foremost a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Her children and grandchildren were her proudest accomplishment. She particularly enjoyed sharing delicious desserts with all of them. She enjoyed movie time and annual trips to the beach with friends.  She was an avid reader, artist, and gardener and achieved the title of Master Gardener through Florence-Darlington Tech.  Her passion was horses and she enjoyed owning and riding throughout her life.     

Bettis was a lifelong Episcopalian. She grew up in St. John’s Episcopal in Florence and joined St. Matthew’s Church when moving to Darlington.  She served diligently on the Altar Guild.  Bettis was also active in her community. She served as Past President of both The Assembly and The Tarantella. She was a member of the Junior Welfare League of Florence, Over the Teacups, and the Pee Dee Chapter of The Colonial Dames of South Carolina.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Grandison Howard of the home and her three children, Charles G. Howard, Jr. (Patty), Maitland Chase Howard, and Natalie Bettis Howard.  She was blessed to have three beautiful grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “BeBe”, Charles Grandison Howard III, Simons Lucas Howard, and Lucas Milling Martin; two brothers, Maitland Soutter Chase III (Betty Ann) of Florence and John Ravenel Chase of Charleston and multiple nieces and nephews who she adored.  She was predeceased by one brother, Simons Lucas Chase; Simons’ wife, Nancy Yates Burnside remained like a sister to Bettis.

Bettis was a dear friend to many and her kindness to all she met will be long remembered.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at St. Matthew’s Church in Darlington followed by interment at Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home. Following the services the family will receive visitors at the Central United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 167 S. Irby Street in Florence.  The family will be available at 105 Fulton Road Darlington Wednesday, October 27th during the afternoon. 

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Church 210 S Main St, Darlington, SC 29532; or the Darlington Area Humane Society, PO Box 503 Darlington, SC 29540.

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