Betty Worrell

Betty Ann (Waugh) Worrell, a passionate community organizer and force for good, passed away peacefully on New Year's Day, 2024, at the age of 96. Born on Christmas Eve, 1927, in Huntington, West Virginia, to Esker and Catherine (Devine) Waugh, Betty's remarkable life was defined by service and optimism.

Betty's early life, spent in the midst of the Great Depression and World War II, shaped remarkable strength of character and taught her the value of frugality and hard work. At just 14 years old, Betty bravely stepped up to drive her dad’s long-bed lumber delivery truck when WWII called his lumberyard employees into service.

After graduating from Huntington High, Betty attended business school where she learned to operate a comptometer (a mechanical calculator). Her early career at International Nickel included breaking a strike at her workplace, which led to a quick promotion and a raise to what she called "good wages for a girl."

In February of 1948, she married Rodney Ernst Worrell in Huntington, beginning a 58-year romance.  Their marriage was a partnership filled with love, growth, and mutual support. Rod predeceased Betty in 2006.

A middle child among six, Betty was predeceased by her four sisters, Dorothy Neal, Mary Rogers, Frannie Mayes, Marty Mueller, and her brother Winnie.

Betty is survived by her children and in-laws: Steve and Linda, Barb and Frank Powell, Allan, Jim and Marion, Judy, and David and Tracey; her grand-children: Todd, Chad, Emily (Powell) Lowell, Kelly (Powell) Mabry, Jeremy and Andy; and her great-grands: Miles, Dylan, Kendra Mabry, and Ben Lowell.

Betty and Rod's journey together took them to various places, including Huntington WV, Roanoke, VA, Upper Arlington, OH, Findlay, OH, and finally, in 1986, to Tega Cay, SC.

Even as she devoted herself to her family, Betty's passion for community service never waned. In Ohio, she was actively involved in the League of Women Voters, served as a Girl Scout troop leader, volunteered to teach reading to adults, organized a neighborhood bridge club, and coordinated an annual “Corn and Beer” block party…all while raising six children.

When her children were grown, she and Rod moved to Tega Cay, SC. There, Betty's passion for community service found new avenues.

One of her first efforts was to establish a recycling program. Alongside her friends Jane Frank and Bill Fenton, she was instrumental in bringing recycling to the city, starting with scheduled days for residents to bring recyclables to a truck; a program that eventually evolved into curbside pickup.  Tega Cay was the first community in SC to institute curbside recycling, which motivated the SC State Legislature to honor Betty, Jane, Bill and “more than 100 volunteers” for their work in 1993.

Betty’s passion for spending time with friends motivated her to start an annual Block Party, which grew into Tega Cay’s much-loved Fall Festival. As a past president of both the Tega Cay Property Owners Association and the Tega Cay Vintage Club, and as a charter member of the Tega Cay Croquet Club, she was always looking for ways to give back to the community that she loved.

She was particularly proud of starting the Helping Hands organization (a free transportation service for seniors) and of her volunteer time as an adult literacy instructor.  In so many ways, Betty demonstrated her commitment to service and care for others. Her volunteer spirit truly knew no bounds.

Betty's volunteerism was recognized many times during her 35 years in Tega Cay: in 1993 for giving over 600 hours of service to the York County Literacy Association; in 2006 when she was named Citizen of the Year; and again in 2011 when she was unanimously elected to serve as the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July Parade.  These honors reflected the love and respect she earned from all who knew her.

Betty's optimism inspired her family and community. She had an uncanny ability to see the best in people and situations, never dwelling on complaints or negativity. Her easy smile, her unwavering positive outlook, and her dedication to helping others will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Friends are invited to celebrate Betty's remarkable life of service on Saturday, March 9, from 1-3 pm at the Shore Club restaurant in Tega Cay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty's memory to the Duke Eye Center ( dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/donate ), the Alzheimer's Foundation ( act.alz.org/site/Donation2 ), or a charity of your choice.

Betty's legacy is not just in the projects she nurtured or the accolades she received but in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, her spirit of service, and her unwavering belief in the goodness of others. Her light will continue to shine in the hearts of all those she touched with her kindness and generosity.