Bettilou Meyer Bayne

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA - Bettilou Clason Meyer Bayne born on April 14, 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Ida Eleanor Clason and George Francis Meyer, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 22, 2012 at the age of 92 after a prolonged battle with congestive heart failure.  Bettilou Bayne was a real estate agent, an office manager, and a loving mother and wife.  Passionate and outspoken, competitive and generous, just as her husband was, she never tired of bragging on her "three wonderful sons and their wonderful wives", ending every conversation with, "give each other a hug and a kiss from me and know that I love you."  During her long life, she helped to support her family and set an example of hard work, self-reliance, persistence, and integrity.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Howard L. Bayne, Jr. who passed away September 19, 1997 from non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  Bettilou was an avid bird watcher, bridge player, and golfer.  From 1960-2009 she lived permanently in Summit and Chatham, New Jersey with winter residence in Shallotte, NC until 1994.  She enjoyed crocheting and donated over 500 of her hand-made lap robes to wounded veterans, most of whom were residents of Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.   A lifelong member of Canoe Brook Country Club, she loved to golf and entertain there with her husband and family.  She was also an active member of Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, New Jersey for forty nine years before moving to Beaufort, South Carolina in 2009 to be closer to her eldest son and his family.





She is survived by her devoted sons:  Howard III and his wife Rhetta of Beaufort, South Carolina, Dwight and his wife Debbie of New Paltz, New York, and Stuart and his wife GiGi of Oliver Springs, Tennessee.  Bettilou was the proud grandmother of six:  Howard Lewis IV (Seajay), Elizabeth and her husband Troy, Matthew, Austin, Lauren, and Rebecca. Bettilou's memorial service will be held at Summit Place of Beaufort at 2:30 o'clock on Saturday July 28, 2012 and in Summit, NJ at a later date to be announced by Copeland Funeral Service. The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Summit Place of Beaufort and additional caregivers: Lillie Saunders, Ophelia Brown, and Christine Polke who independently helped bring joy and peace to Bettilou and her family through devoted service over the past three and a half years with truly tender, compassionate, and exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) - Post Office Box 531, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901 or to Hospice Care of South Carolina - 134 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.