Betty Hodge Arter

Betsy was born on June 20, 1940, in Sumter, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Eugene Perry Hodge and the late Mildred Sligh Glasgow Hodge and sister to the late Robert Benjamin Hodge. She grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, graduating from Edmunds High School, and began working for the county government. She married the love of her life, US Air Force Officer, Gerald “Jerry” Richard Arter of Lancaster Ohio, on June 16, 1962 at the Base Chapel located on Shaw Air Force Base. They traveled the world together, serving our country and God, The Almighty, with passion and grace. Two of Betsy’s favorite places to live were London, England and Charleston, South Carolina, both because of their rich history, beautiful architect, and charming people.

Traveling and experiencing the culture of different countries and learning about their history brought her great joy. She loved talking with people, hearing their stories and sharing her own. She had a wonderful way of putting people at ease during conversations. It was truly one of her gifts.

Betsy was also a self-taught gardener, with a beautiful eye for flower arrangements and garden design. She had a natural green thumb and would spend hours out in the yard. Her talents also included painting landscapes and still life, which she did solely for herself and family members. Her favorite pastime, though, was spending time with her family whom she loved and adored. She delighted in the day-to-day activities of being a wife, mother and grandmother, making us all feel loved and celebrated. She also took time to service and volunteer at her local church, assisting with fundraisers like the annual “Taste of Goose Creek” and church development programs alongside her husband.

Betsy’s love for God and family focus carried over into her professional career as well, through decades of support to our military and the country she loved so much. Betsy was an accomplished Executive Assistant supporting major command offices in both the United States Navy, at the Charleston Navy Shipyard and the United States Air Force at Charleston, AFB. In the latter role, Betsy supported the Commander, 437th Airlift Wing, BGEN Thomas R. Mokolajcik, serving a critical role in supporting our forward deployed troops and their families left behind. In all things, Betsy served Christ – one person, family member, friend and colleague at a time.

Betsy was a devout Roman Catholic and a long-standing member of The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek, South Carolina. She was a prayer warrior and loved to pray the rosary daily. She attended Mass most days, either in person or virtually. When it became difficult for her to venture outside of the home, she would spend her days celebrating Catholic mass and watching the news on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

Betsy Arter is survived by her husband of 64 years, Retired US Air Force Lt. Colonel Gerald R. Arter of San Antonio, TX, and her three daughters: Michelle Schmidt and her husband Paul Schmidt of Commerce Township, MI, Karen Garcia and her husband Retired Air Force Major Arthur Garcia of San Antonio, TX and Catherine Zimmerman and her husband Retired Navy Captain Jeffrey W. Zimmerman of Herndon, VA.

Betsy cherished her role as Oma (grandmother) to 11 grandchildren: Amanda DiMaria (husband: Mark DiMaria), Laura Nicole Small, Zackary Small, Justin Zimmerman, Derek Zimmerman (wife: Erin Zimmerman), Colin Zimmerman, Evan Zimmerman, Nick Yax, Sam Schmidt, Max Schmidt and Audra Garcia.

She was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren: Grayson, Hunter, Penny Jane, Audrey and Liam Zimmerman, and Dominic and Dylan DiMaria.

A memorial mass will take place at 11:00 am at St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church with the rosary starting at 10:30am on Monday, September 16, 2024. For those who would like to honor their friendship and/or the memory of Betsy Arter with a gift, the family suggests a donation be made to EWTN at missions.ewtn.com or by mailing your gift to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.