Betty Lou Thompson

Betty Hatfield Thompson passed away on Monday, July 31, 1923. She was born on August 23, 1931, in Sumter, South Carolina to the late Arch Walton Hatfield and Polly Jane Wise Hatfield. She married Keith M. Thompson, Sr., the love of her life, on August 3, 1953. They spent sixty-five wonderful years together prior to Mr. Thompson’s passing.

Betty Thompson was a kind, loving Southern lady. She was truly a real-life steel magnolia. She was a wonderful wife and mother helping to raise three daughters and one son.

Mrs. Thompson was a member of Jessie Bell Shonk Order of the Eastern Star as well as Omar Shrine Temple Daughters of the Nile. She supported her daughters and their participation in Dorchester Waylyn Assembly Order of the Rainbow for Girls. “Mom” Thompson was always “there” for her son and other members of Naval Base Chapter Order of DeMolay. She was also active as a member of the John L. Weeks Post # 3142 Ladies Auxiliary and the Evanston Estates Civic Club. Working in concert with her husband, she was active in the state and local South Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers. She received lifetime memberships in both the state and national PTA. Early in their married life, Keith and Betty accepted their Lord and established a church home at Dorchester Waylyn Baptist Church which today is known as Doorway Baptist Church. While not able to attend regularly, Betty still holds a membership there.

Always at the center of family gatherings, she provided food, fun and love to a large family. All will sorely miss her. She took extraordinary pride in the accomplishments of her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Betty is survived by children: Joyce T. Dearing (John) of Summerville, Pam T. Copeland (Mike) of Hanahan, Donna T. Field (Ralph) of Silverdale, Washington, and Keith M. Thompson, Jr. (Dana) of North Charleston. Three grandchildren also survive her: Heather F. Crain (Joel) of Silverdale, Ashley F. Zednick (Carson) of Silverdale, and Logan T. Field, also of Silverdale. In addition, she was the great-grandmother to Rilyn and Parker Zednick as well as “Baby” Crain (soon to make an appearance). A host of nieces and nephews also survive Mrs. Thompson. She was predeceased by her husband, Keith M. Thompson, Sr. as well as by her parents, Arch and Polly Hatfield, one sister and three brothers.

The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon, August 4, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm followed by the Life Well Celebrated Service at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. Burial to follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association South Carolina Chapter or The ARK of South Carolina (Alzheimer’s Family Support Services)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the Thompson family.