Obituary of Betty A. Usher

Betty A. Usher, 88, of Columbia, SC was lovingly received into the arms of her Savior on Friday, January 27, 2023 following a period of declining health. Born November 3, 1934 in Lancaster, SC, she was the daughter of the late Rochel P. and Lillie Mae Adams. Betty loved attending church and serving the Lord in many ways. She and her husband always made sure their family was in church every Sunday and on Wednesday evenings as they were growing up. She sang in Sunday services with her only surviving sister, Midge, for many years, and would visit nursing homes in the area just to be a ray of sunshine to the residents. She loved working with babies! After her own children were grown she worked for many years at Northeast Presbyterian Church, singing lullabies and expertly rocking precious little ones in her care to sleep, giving their grateful mothers peace of mind and a chance to refresh as they attended Bible studies and other events. But the greatest focus of her life was her own family, which was her pride and joy. She lived out the verse in Philippians 2: 3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” She did not make great demands of others and, as one of her daughter-in-laws commented, “She never complained in all the years I knew her.”

Betty was preceded in death by seven sisters, one brother, and her son, Paul K. Usher, Jr.  She is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Paul K. Usher, Sr.; children: Andy Usher (Martha), Lillie Smith (Randy), Wanda Wells (Tom), Steven Usher (Angela), and Ralph Usher; her sister, Midge Shealy; grandchildren: Kala, Stacy, Kirsten, Cameron, Shaun, Amber, Brittany, Tiffany, Jordan, Justin, Eric, and Kim; and great-grandchildren: Saylor, Madison, Blythe, Caleb, Catherine, Charlie, Katelynn, and Anna.

A service celebrating Betty’s life will be led by the Rev. Jessie Adams in the Thompson Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., where the family will greet guests one hour prior, at 1:00. Burial will follow in the adjacent Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.