Elizabeth Lee DuRant

COLUMBIA - Elizabeth “Betsy” Lee DuRant, 71, of Columbia, SC, died on Thursday, August 27, after a long battle with Lewy Body Disease. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s Keenan Chapel. Betsy was born in Florence, SC, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Lamar Lee, Sr. She was a Francis Marion University graduate, and had an established career as a stock broker with Merrill Lynch. After retiring from Merrill Lynch, she became the executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party. Betsy was a voracious reader of books, a seasoned world traveler, and an art collector. She also loved to dance, and even took up line dancing in her later years. Betsy was a passionate human rights activist, working with the South Carolina Coalition Against the Death Penalty, serving as a Pro-Choice lobbyist, and helping organize several political campaigns. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. David Lamar Lee, Sr. and Emmie Chaplin Lee of Florence, SC; a brother, Dr. David Lamar Lee, Jr. of Florence, SC; and a nephew, David Lamar Lee, IV of Charlotte, NC. Surviving are her daughters, Elizabeth Neyle DuRant of Columbia, SC, and Catherine Marshall DuRant (Dennis Craythorn) of New York, New York; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Manigault DuRant Craythorn of New York, New York; a brother, James Hagood Chaplin Lee of Lexington, SC; a sister, Emmie Lee Shealy, of Columbia, SC; as well as nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Carroll Campbell Place, as well as to the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice, for their sensitivity to our mother’s needs and their professionalism and grace throughout the process. The family will receive friends immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center, 1615 Augusta Road, West Columbia, SC 29169.