Betty Erwin McDonald

COLUMBIA - Betty Jean Erwin McDonald of Columbia, South Carolina, died peacefully on February 9, 2021. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 2, 1937, Betty was the only child of the late Joe Lee and Edna Isaacs Erwin. She attended East Senior High School and Peabody College in Nashville, and later graduated from Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina. She was a flight attendant for American Airlines in 1958 and served as the Columbia College Media Center librarian for 30 years until her retirement.

Betty met her husband of 56 years, Frank Douglas McDonald, at a sock hop. After marrying in Nashville in 1959, they moved to several states pursuing Doug’s post graduate education and career, finally settling in Columbia in 1970 to raise their four children. Betty was a vibrant light and touched many lives, and she loved working with the students in the media center. She enjoyed traveling the world with her family and friends, shopping for bargains, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren (never missing a sports game or performance!).

Betty is survived by her children: Valerie McDonald, Kevin McDonald (Valerie), Melinda Postal (Lee), and Sandra Wrenn (Todd); and nine grandchildren: Damon (Katharine) and Jordan Postal; Jack, Julia, and Sam McDonald; and Court, Hayden, Summer, and Gage Wrenn. She was predeceased by her husband Doug in 2015.

Due to COVID, there will be no visitation. The family will have a private burial at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Carolina Special Olympics at www.support.specialolympics.org. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Harmony of Columbia and Lighthouse Hospice. Please visit the Dunbar Funeral Home website to sign Betty’s tribute page and share special memories at www.dunbarfunerals.com