Betty Martin

Margaret Elizabeth "Betty" Martin, "The Pink Lady" of Rum Gully, 85, entered into eternal rest Thursday, August 4, 2016 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held 2 pm, Sunday, August 7, 2016 at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro.  Burial will follow in Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery, Islandton.

Betty was born October 8, 1930. She met Dorrell (DM) Martin, Well Driller, in Ehrhardt. He would drive down the street and she would jump from the tree limbs into his Model A. It was not long before she left Ehrhardt where there was electricity to Rum Gully where there was none.  They eloped and headed to Savannah but the Model A threw a rod in Ridgeland where they married and remained married for 56 years, until Daddy died in 2000.

There were 5 children from the marriage, Bonnie Martin, of the home who spent most of her life by Mama's side.  Jacquelyn Martin Jarrell of Walterboro.  John Dorrell Martin Sr., who died in 2009, his wife Barbie.  Margie Beasley, who died in 2004.  A six-month old baby, Connie, who died on December 23rd, 1954.  Also surviving are nine grands, twenty great grand,s and one great great grand.

Betty was an extraordinary woman who could do anything.  She built our home by tearing down the Old Tom Polk House.  I remember the day she backed into the old chimney with the pick-up truck to knock it down.  Then we kids had to chip old cement off of old bricks that she used to build the foundation.  She hand built the cabinets, a desk and the vanities, plumbed it, did the electric wiring and put in the duct work for the heating and air unit.  When my Brother Johnny came of age to play little league, there was no team at Bells Elementary.  She started the team, coached them and picked them up for practices and games.  She took them all them all the way to the all-stars that year. There are young men who call her "Coach" to this day.

There was nothing she would not attempt or do.  I watched her flood her boots and wade to the bottom of Willow Swamp to find a lighter with a diamond in the side that my Daddy had given her. They never exchanged gifts, all their money, what they had back then was spent on us.  We could not have asked for a more loving and caring mother.  We will miss you Moma!

Mamo, as she was affectionately known by all is best remembered by THE RUM GULLY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS in Rum Gully.  It was an awesome display.  The last year of the lights over ten thousand people from twenty-two counties signed the register in the front yard.  She created a traffic jam in Rum Gully.  Rum Gully was known for its liquor stills.  Moma served lemonade from the liquor stills.  There were even tour buses.  Mama was one of a kind.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro. 843.538.5408.  Visit the guestbook online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.