Pearl Elizabeth Rilee Rhode, known so well to everyone as Betty, 90 years young, joined her beloved husband Bryant Rhode of 70 years in Heaven on Monday May 8th, 2023. Surrounded by loved ones she entered the gates of heaven to be reunited with the handsome boy who she met in the high school gym when she was just 15. He was whistling “The Lamplighter’s Song” and she was intrigued. The rest is history. She was one of 2 daughters (surviving sister is Edna Roberta Rilee Blocker) of Edna Willis Rilee Spell and Robert C. Rilee. When she met Bryant, they fell in love, and she got married at the early age of 16. They moved to Alaska and made such wonderful memories there.
Upon returning to South Carolina one of her first jobs was selling shoes at Novit’s Shoe store in Walterboro, SC. She and Bryant had 3 daughters and her desire for education, experiences and to help others led her to getting her High School GED, then on the Baptist College of Charleston and earning her Master’s Degree in Library Science. ( She did not like being called a Librarian though). She did not talk much about her accomplishments but one that she was proud of was being the first female to be allowed to attend night classes at the Citadel at a time when women were not allowed to do so. She continued to march forward in the world by also helping to establish not 1 but 2 libraries in her hometown of Cottageville, SC. She did not stop there she also became a lay reader for the Methodist Church and worked hard to create a Food Bank that was one of her finest accomplishments. She was a Council member of the Cottageville Town Council, a lifetime member of the NEA, held offices at both state and local levels with the United Methodist Women, first female trustee of the Cottageville Methodist Church, the first retired CCEA, an Elks Lodge member, as well as serving on the Colleton County Library Board, juts to name a few.
She and Bryant loved to camp, and they traveled across America many times doing so. Their journeys led them to making friends from everywhere. She loved her family fiercely and took each and every one of them under her wing, giving them unconditional love and support. They were her number one “hobby”. She also loved to travel and when Bryant would not go anymore that did not stop her – she traveled the world. This picture of her says it all. She was adventuresome and eager to have new experiences but also making sure her family was included. She never gave up hope on anyone and always saw the best in all.
Bridge would have been another hobby- a ferocious one – nothing interfered with bridge LOL. Let’s not forget food – Betty’s love language – she prepared meals for shut ins – her family and anyone that she could. Even when she could not cook herself, she had others doing it for her and delivering it to family and friends and those in need.
Surviving is three daughters Betty Anne Rhode of Walterboro, Naomi Rhode Holt and her husband Garth Holt of Conway, SC, Julia Rhode Jacobs and her husband Greg Jacobs of Savannah Ga. Six wonderful and cherished Grandchildren, Kevin Jones (Tamara), Matthew A Crosby (Erica), Rilee Anne Westbury (Josh), Laurel Anne Allmond (Jason), Kyle Jacobs and Jacqueline Crosby. But there’s more!!!! 8 Great Grand Children, Gracie Tyler (Matthew), Will Brady, Fischer Crosby, Warren Westbury, Culler Crosby, Rentz Anne Westbury, Schiffley Crosby and Remy Allmond as well as many nieces’ and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cottageville Methodist Church, 44 Pierce Road, Cottageville, South Carolina 29435.
Funeral services were held 11 o’clock, Friday morning, May 12, 2023, at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Sidney Mims will be officiating.
The family received friends prior to the funeral ceremony beginning at 10 o’clock Friday morning at The Brice W. Herndon And Sons Funeral Homes And Crematory, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro. Visit the guestbook online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.
